"Why are you imposing your morals on me...country's beauty is its diversity": Owaisi on UCC

New Delhi [India], May 3 : All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi strongly criticised the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) passed by the state of Uttarakhand alleging that it "violates" the freedom of religion and termed it a "dangerous model".
The four-time MP alleged that UCC "compels" people to marry through the 'Special Marriage Act' and doesn't allow people to perform their religious rituals.
In an interview with ANI, Owaisi said, "The Uttarakhand model is a very dangerous model...It is only a way to separate the Muslim structure from the Muslim system."
"UCC, which was passed in the Uttarakhand Assembly, even Congress supported it. Now it is said, that Muslim marriage in Uttarakhand happens through Nikah...you are saying it won't happen like this, it will happen through the Special Marriage Act. What is this?" he asserted.
"How is this progressive? Freedom of religion is my fundamental right...how will I marry without nikah? You have removed the 'Maher' that is given to women...one can't do it privately, the law mentions anyone who violates it will be jailed...I will give divorce in my way, why will I do it your way? Why are you imposing your morals on me? The beauty of this country is its diversity," the Hyderabad MP added.
Notably, Uttarakhand became the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
The Uniform Civil Code, Uttarakhand, Bill 2024, seeks to "govern and regulate the laws related to marriage and divorce, successions, live-in relationships, and matters related thereto," was passed in the Assembly in February this year following a two-day discussion.
Owaisi further lamented the clause of UCC which calls for seeking the District Magistrate's permission for inter-religious marriage.
"The law (UCC) says that if a Hindu boy or girl marries a Christian, he or she will have to get permission from the DM. Who are you to peep inside my house? You have put a ban on inter-religious marriage in all BJP-ruled states," he added.
The AIMIM chief also questioned why tax rebate is given only to the Hindu Undivided Family.
"Why does no one talk about why the Hindu Undivided tax rebate is only being given to Hindus? The government came which showed it (rebate) has reached 1400-1800 crore...Every law that is made mentions 'Hindu culture is protected'. You are making the law but also creating exceptions," he said.
Meanwhile, Asaduddin Owaisi will be seeking a fifth straight term in the Hyderabad constituency. He is up against Bharatiya Janata Party's Madhavi Latha.
Voting for all 17 seats in Telangana will take place on May 13 in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. In the 2019 general election, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) won nine seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party four, Congress three and AIMIM one seat.