Unity in Diversity is India’s
Identity
By: Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi
Email: qasmikhursheed@yahoo.co.in
A
Public Appeal has been issued by the Law Commission of India, Ministry of Law
& Justice, Government of India on 19th March 2018 which reads: “Any
Individual/Organization (Government or Non-Government) may send their
submissions in the form of consultation/discussion/working papers, on any of
the issues pertaining to Uniform Civil Code (except the issue relating to
triple Talaq, which is pending before the parliament) to the Member Secretary,
Law Commission of India….”
I
am of the opinion that a common set of laws for one and all citizens of the
Republic of India will not suit. This move will not bring the sufferings of the
Indian Citizens to an end; rather it may cause widespread sufferings and chaos,
problems and confusions in a large and multicultural country like India. I,
therefore, totally oppose the idea of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
The beauty of the
Republic of India lies in diversity and multiplicity not in uniformity, as each
Indian adopts, speaks and follows a particular culture, language and religion
utilizing the rights provided in the Indian Constitution, in accordance with
his/her own desire and wish, in different states of India. Unity in diversity
is India’s identity. If the UCC is introduced, the country will lose its identity
and beauty. Generally, it’s observed in India, every morning and evening, Sankh
is blown in Hindus’ Temples, Azaan is called in Muslims’ Mosques and
Bells are rung in Christians’ Churches. Similarly, other activities take place in
worshiping places of Sikhs, Buddhists etc. Likewise, among different sections
of the people in India, we witness the marriage, distribution of inheritance
and many dealings taking place consistent with their cultures and religious
guides. The people of different Indian states with different colours and cultures,
as we observe on Republic Day and Independence Day present before the Red Fort
and demonstrate their cultural activities proudly and the spectators enjoy it.
To me, it enhances the identity and the beauty of India.
India is not a home of few individuals where
Common Law could be introduced so easily. A logical question arises here, what we
are going to include and what we are going to exclude in this set of laws known
as the UCC? As it’s impossible to respectfully include all the cultural and
religious rites followed in India, in the UCC, it’s also an uphill task to
adopt the laws of a particular religion and impose it on all Indian citizens
forcefully. Indians, be they Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs or Budhists,
are very sensitive and strong regarding their faith and beliefs, culture and
rites. None of them will ever compromise in regard to their religious and
ritual affairs. Moreover, India does not comprise only the aforesaid religious
followers; but it has several tribal communities too, in various regions of the
country, which also cannot compromise regarding their traditions and customs as
they perform it from centuries back. I opine that if we move even an inch for
the UCC, it means we are inviting a calamity and tragedy that will befall upon
us and it will not end any problem.
It’s established fact that practicing
multi cultures, multi languages and multi religions by different people is not disturbing
for us Indians at all. The most disturbing thing for us, as responsible
citizens of India, is growing number of illiteracy and unemployment. It is
well-known that unemployment is a major cause of poverty. Our poverty and
illiteracy are black spots, in this modern age, on the face of our country and
its leaders. The first priority of the Indian Government must be reducing
illiteracy and poverty rate among the citizens. It’s also the need of hour for
the government to address scores of major issues, because of which the common
people are suffering, like the issues of “Law & Order”, “Safety of Women”,
“Unemployment”, Lacking of Educational Institutions”, and “Suicide by Farmers” so
that every Indian can live a peaceful life without any hurdle and obstacle.
Very frequently we face communal violence
as these days we see it in West Bengal and Bihar, because of a fistful people
with vested their interests, and the government fails to control it, as we have
poor “Law and Order” management. Almost each day we read some news or watch on
television about some women being insulted, molested and raped by anti-social
elements on roads, in market places and even in moving public transports, like
buses, trains etc., but the government is unable to provide adequate security
to control such occurrence.
The youths are struggling to find bread
and butter for themselves as most of them are jobless and unemployed. They are
performing the duty of “Cow Vigilantes” as they don’t have jobs and employments,
isn’t it an irony? To me, unemployment is a major cause of poverty. Regrettably, poverty has become
an issue of great worry and anxiety for any sensible citizen, as our country
ranks 97th in the list of poverty stricken countries. It’s shocking
that our country goes below the level of Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in
terms of providing food to its citizens. In regard to the Indian
Population, the existing educational institutes are in unsatisfactory number;
whereas it is the responsibility of the government to deliver basic and higher
education to one and all citizens, even living in remote areas to elevate the
living standard of the citizens and to provide food to the poor, as it is
recommended under article 45 of the constitution. We have observed that
several farmers have committed suicide in Karnataka, Maharashtra and other
stats of the country, but the government has not yet taken any major step to resolve
their problems. Isn’t it grave situation, as we witness? Our brave retired army
officers are demanding for the OROP, but the government has failed to meet
their demand. How the youths would be encouraged joining the army? Isn’t it a
pity?
Actually, it’s an old habit of the Indian
government, either of any political party or alliance, to avoid the real issues
making non-issue a major issue to rule over without accountability on its
services and performance for the nation and its honourable citizens. Its living
example is thinking about the UCC, which will not benefit us economically or
educationally, rather it will cause an endless chaos in a multi-cultural,
multi-language and multi-religious country like India, then what is the need to
move for the UCC? Shocking!
As a responsible citizen, I respect and
back the existing Secular Constitution of India. I don’t feel the UCC in the
favour of our beloved nation as a whole; therefore, I totally oppose the
move of the UCC in our beautiful country India. ***
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