Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently pitched for Uniform Civil Code and said that appeasement politics had left many people behind, including the Pasmanda Muslims. His pro-Pasmanda stand was welcomed by various sections of the backward Muslim community, but with the condition that the leaders of the Pasmanda community should also be invited to the discussions.
The Uttar Pradesh state President of All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaj, Wasim Raini, welcomed PM Modi’s reach out towards the Pasmanda community. He stated, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first PM who has spoken about problems faced by the Pasmanda Muslims and expressed a commitment to their welfare from a public platform. The Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party got the community’s votes but failed to give a share in political power. The Pasmanda community is looking with hope towards the BJP”.
While Peace Party president Mohammad Ayub remarked that if the BJP is serious about empowering Pasmanda Muslims politically, socially, and educationally, the PM’s appeal should be followed by real actions, such as an invitation to the Pasmanda leadership for further discussions.
He said that the Kalelkar Commission, Rangnath Mishra Commission, and Sachar Committee had all underlined the Pasmanda Muslims’ social and economic backwardness in their reports. These commissions advocated for reservations for Dalit Muslims. He believes the BJP government should provide Muslims with political representation along with implementing these suggestions.
Meanwhile, Rashtriya Ulama Council spokesperson Talha Rashidi stated that if the Prime Minister is serious about integrating Pasmanda Muslims into the national mainstream, his words must be backed up by actions.
Uttar Pradesh minority welfare minister Danish Azad Ansari who belongs to the Pasmanda community, said that the victory of BJP candidates in the Rampur and Azamgarh Lok Sabha by-elections, as well as alliance partner Apna Dal (S) winning the Suar assembly seat, shows that the Pasmanda Muslims support the BJP.
According to Basit Ali, president of the BJP Minority Cell, the state government’s programmes have aided 4.5 crore Muslims in Uttar Pradesh.
Earlier, batting for the UCC, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 27 stated that the country could not be governed with “two laws” when the constitution of India talks about equality for all. He asked how different rules could apply to different family members.
“Will a family function if there are two different sets of rules for people? Then how will a country run? Our Constitution too guarantees equal rights to all people,” PM Modi said in Bhopal today while addressing party workers under the BJP’s “Mera Booth Sabse Majboot” campaign.
He said that appeasement politics had left many people behind, including the Pasmanda Muslims.
“Pasmanda Muslims have become a victim of politics. Some people are using the politics of appeasement to break the country. The BJP cadre should go and explain this to the Muslims and educate them so that they do not fall victim to such politics,” PM Modi said.
“If they were really supportive of Muslims the Muslim brothers would not be poor or deprived…Supreme Court has also asked for the implementation of the UCC. But these people are hungry only for vote bank,” Modi said, accusing the Opposition in the country of employing vote-bank politics of appeasement.
After Prime Minister remarked on UCC, several parties, including the Congress, the DMK, and the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM, accused Narendra Modi of engaging in “divisive politics”.
Even on June 27, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) held an emergency meeting late at night. In the meeting, AIMPLB decided to oppose the UCC. The board members decided that the Muslim law board would present their side in front of the Law Commission on UCC and would also present the documents.
Though on June 28, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) extended its support “in principal” to BJP on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and asked for more comprehensive consultations with all the stakeholders in the society.
While talking to the media, AAP national general secretary Sandeep Pathak stated, “In principle, we support Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as Article 44 also says that there should be UCC in the country. However, it should be implemented after wider consultation with everyone. We feel that there should be wide consultation with all religions, political parties and organizations and a consensus should be built”.
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