Nainital, Uttarakhand – Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has filed a petition in the Uttarakhand High Court challenging the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state.
The UCC, which came into effect in Uttarakhand in January, has been met with strong opposition from the Muslim community. Under the leadership of its president, Maulana Arshad Madani, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has sought judicial intervention, arguing that the new law infringes on religious freedom and constitutional rights. The matter was mentioned before the Chief Justice of Uttarakhand, and a hearing is expected later this week. A senior Supreme Court advocate will represent the organization in court.
Maulana Madani emphasized that their legal challenge is aimed at safeguarding constitutional democracy and ensuring justice. He reiterated that while Muslims can compromise on many things, they will never compromise on their Sharia and religious beliefs. He accused the government of attempting to strip away rights granted to Muslims through the UCC.
“The issue is not just about Muslim personal law but about protecting the secular fabric of the country,” Madani stated. “India is a secular nation, meaning the government has no religion, and people are free to follow any faith.”
He further argued that the UCC contradicts fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. While the government cites Article 44 as the basis for implementing the UCC, Madani pointed out that it remains a directive principle rather than a binding law. Meanwhile, Articles 25, 26, and 29, which guarantee religious freedom, are being overlooked. Additionally, the Shariat Application Act of 1937, which safeguards Muslim personal law, is also at risk.
“The government claims that one nation should have one law, but there are already variations in IPC, CrPC, and even cow slaughter laws across states,” he said. “The argument that there cannot be two legal systems within one country is flawed.”
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind’s petition marks the latest legal battle against the UCC, which has sparked nationwide debates on religious freedom, constitutional rights, and secularism.
