Regardless of who takes over the task of UCC, it’ll be a messay affair. If Indian Muslim identity is seen to be reflected in the Indian fragmented civil code, then it is that that would probably bring the serious backlash and anger from this population. As far as I know, other minorities are not as opposed to it as the Muslims.

Oh Boy!

It gives Muslims an important sense of identity and greater ownership in the Indian nation.

This is a brand of secularism I don’t buy because it leaves the law-making to the clerics, so we end up with absurd situations like this one. I don’t see how anyone can look at a set of laws which produces such a scenario as empowering, or one to be proud of.

That said, this is a problem which completely stumps me. I think there is a strong need for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) which takes power out of the hands of religious authorities (both saffron and green), but I don’t trust anyone to make it. When the BJP was clamoring for UCC a few years ago I shuddered to think of what shape a BJP-crafted UCC would take.

Can anybody help me out on this one?

For which the system must remain fragmented? The certain aspects that are harmful, usually have the most effect.

Most of the clauses provided in for ‘protection of minorities’ seek to discriminate against women as these clauses largely pertain to family law.

I’m not sure I agree with you. I find that political civil society is mich stornger in “poor” countries like India than it is here in the U.S. If you asked the average man on the street in India who their MLA and MP were and what they’ve done, you would get a pretty decent answer. I don’t think that’s true here at all. The masses in India have consistently voted out people and governments they felt to be inadequate; I’ve seen very few “Strom Thurmonds” in the Lok Sabha.

Also, while certain aspects of having multiple civil codes are clearly harmful to women and minors, its very important overall to protect minority rights and preserve secularism. It gives Muslims an important sense of identity and greater ownership in the Indian nation.

BTW, Arvind Lavakare is an absolute Hindutva note, so be wary when you read his writing, as Aninda suggests.

Hari

I’m sure at some point we’ve all confided something in friends or ‘friends’ and then wished to God we hadn’t. Maybe she feels like that now.

I haven’t had time to read all the comments in this, so I’m sorry if I’m repeating. It seems that the guy uttered the magic words in his sleep after the couple fought. The woman then spoke about it with her close friends (I would imagine as a “WTF?” story) and from there it got around.

While the couple, who have three children, refused to obey the order since there was no discord between them, the community leaders are adamant that they must separate or face “social boycott”. Aftab Ansari and Sohela have been married for the past 11 years. However, on the night of December 20 last year, Aftab allegedly uttered ‘talaq’ three times in his sleep after a tiff with his wife. The matter came to light when Sohela discussed it with her close friends and soon it reached the ears of the Muslim leaders. [Link]

I agree with you, that could very well be the case.

Also Janeofalltrades it seems kind of silly to blame the guy in this case. If he did utter those words in his sleep, obviously it must have been the wife who proceeded to tell everyone about it. Which does make one wonder… I mean why can’t women be as cold and calculating as men are always preceived to be? I think there is a legitemate question as to why this whole thing was brought into public anway. Unless ofcourse she is a devout muslim who actually feared the implications of those words, and the consequences of not following the custom that she seeked religious guidance.