DMK: Uniform code, a blow to minorities

“DMK will not allow the constitutionally guaranteed rights of minorities to get snatched away through the Uniform Civil Code,” party Treasurer M K Stalin said in a Twitter post as the Dravidian party waded into the controversy over Law Commission’s questionnaire over UCC and triple talaq. 

In a more detailed statement on his Facebook page, he said various Muslim organisations met him on Saturday and sought his party’s support to a proposed protest against the Centre’s move, and he had also responded positively. Stalin said that the DMK firmly believed in the concepts of secularism, unity in diversity and national integrity. He recalled that the party had in its general council last year resolved against UCC and had also asked the BJP to focus on its poll-time promise of development. 

“DMK, which believes in the fundamental policies of the Constitution, will not allow any impediment to the country’s pluralism and secularism with the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code. DMK will oppose this move of the Centre, which is aimed at diverting attention from various basic problems,” he said. 

The Law Commission’s decision to invite views on UCC had drawn criticism from All India Muslim Personal Law Board and other Muslim outfits, which had said they would boycott it and accused the Modi government of waging a ‘war’ against the community. While they had claimed that a Uniform Civil Code would ‘kill’ India’s pluralism, right wing outfits like BJP and Shiv Sena had strongly supported the government’s decision.