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Uniform justice, not civil code needed: Jethmalani
Kolkata, Aug 17: Former Union law minister Ram Jethmalani today termed as `unnecessary` the debate over introduction of a Uniform Civil Code in the country and said what the country needed was `uniform justice` for all its citizens.
Kolkata, Aug 17: Former Union law minister Ram Jethmalani today termed as 'unnecessary' the debate over introduction of a Uniform Civil Code in the country and said what the country needed was 'uniform justice' for all its citizens.
"Let us not waste our time and energy on Uniform Civil Code. There are more important issues to be taken up. What the country needs is not a Uniform Civil Code but uniform justice," Jethmalani, an MP, said.
Noting that it would be difficult to formulate a Uniform Civil Code in view of huge differences between personal laws of various communities, the veteran lawyer said, "I don't believe such a move will do any good to enhance the national integration and unity."
Referring to Article 44 of the constitution, he said, "it only says that a state shall endeavour to secure for its citizens a uniform civil code, which does not mean such a code be enforced upon the people by the government".
He, however, criticised the Muslim Personal Law Board for their opposition to the proposal 'on religious grounds'.
"I defer with the Muslim Personal Law Board which says that the Shariat laws are part of their religion. Is it the god who rules people by formulating laws for all time to come? those who think like that should think rationally.”
Jethmalani, who was addressing an interactive session on the 'Uniform Civil Code,' organised by the Centre for peace & progress, also called for modifying the personal laws of different communities to suit the changing times.
Bureau Report
Noting that it would be difficult to formulate a Uniform Civil Code in view of huge differences between personal laws of various communities, the veteran lawyer said, "I don't believe such a move will do any good to enhance the national integration and unity."
Referring to Article 44 of the constitution, he said, "it only says that a state shall endeavour to secure for its citizens a uniform civil code, which does not mean such a code be enforced upon the people by the government".
He, however, criticised the Muslim Personal Law Board for their opposition to the proposal 'on religious grounds'.
"I defer with the Muslim Personal Law Board which says that the Shariat laws are part of their religion. Is it the god who rules people by formulating laws for all time to come? those who think like that should think rationally.”
Jethmalani, who was addressing an interactive session on the 'Uniform Civil Code,' organised by the Centre for peace & progress, also called for modifying the personal laws of different communities to suit the changing times.
Bureau Report