Congress wary of taking a stand on UCC 

It appears the grand old party, Congress is struggling to take a clear stand on the issue of Uniform Civil Code (UCC). 

The BJP government is planning to introduce the bill on UCC as enunciated in the Constitution. Even the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru tried to introduce UCC, but it could not be possible. 

Now the BJP is all set to use the UCC as a major issue in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. While several opposition parties have already cleared their stand either against or in favour of UCC, Congress is struggling to make its stand clear. 

Addressing BJP booth workers in Madhya Pradesh last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pitched for UCC and said that Muslims were being misled in the name of UCC. 

“These days, people are being provoked in the name of UCC. You tell me, if there is one law for one person in a home, and another law for another person, can that house function?” he had asked. 

On June 14, the Law Commission published a notice soliciting views and ideas of the public at large and recognised religious organisations on UCC. 

The 22nd Law Commission of India, regarding reference dated June 17, 2016, sent by the Ministry of Law & Justice, is examining the subject matter of UCC once again seeking the opinions and ideas of the public.  

But the Congress, not in a position to take a clear stand, on Sunday decided to wait for the draft proposal of the government before taking a stand on the issue. 

Several top legal counsels of the Congress held a meeting to discuss the UCC at the party headquarters. 

According to party sources, senior Congress leaders P Chidambaram, Manish Tewari, Salman Khurshid, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Vivek Tankha, KTS Tulsi and L. Hanumanthaiah were present at the meeting. 

Sources said Congress is of the opinion that taking a clear stand before going through the draft proposal of the government would be a hasty step. It is worried about the possibility of losing muslim vote bank if it welcomes UCC.  

On the other hand, Congress is also worried because increasing sections of Muslims, particularly educated class and Muslim women are in favour of UCC.  

Since the Congress garnered Muslim votes in the recent Karnataka assembly elections, it is trying to be cautious in taking a stand on UCC, sources said adding that it’s like a tightrope walk for the party.