New Delhi

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan said the Uniform civil code is not there to “dictate customs, rituals, and practices to different communities; it’s about uniformity of justice, especially for women in case of a dispute.”

Addressing the closing of the first ever All India national Minority Conclave at Chandigarh, Arif Mohammad Khan said, “Uniform Civil Code is constitutional objective to deliver uniform justice that is common for all the communities. There is a wrong narrative being built around the Uniform Civil Code that by adopting it there will be an intrusion in our religious practices or the existence of other countries will be in danger”.

The first-ever All India Minority Conclave 2023 was organized by NID Foundation in Chandigarh.

Leaders of Minority communities at the Conclave

Khan said, “The provisions of the Uniform Civil Code are meant to offer equal justice to women belonging to different communities whether they are matrimonial, or property disputes are concerned. Women in our country have been subjected to injustice due to different definitions of personal laws adopted by different communities and so there is a need to bring such a uniform law which has same provisions for all the communities “.

Speaking to media persons, Khan said the viewpoint of those opposed to the UCC should be heard but it must be clear to them this is a constitutional objective. He said, “the objective of a law, particularly of a civil law is not to dictate you what customs and rituals and practices you want to have; It is only about uniformity of justice.”

It’s only about uniformity of justice. It is not about uniformity of customs or rituals or ceremonies, he said.

“How you solemnize your marriage is for you to decide. But if there is a dispute between the two and they come to the court, then there should be uniformity of justice.

“It should not be that a woman belonging to one particular community is receiving one treatment and a woman belonging to the other community is receiving a different treatment.”

Deliberations at the All India Minority Conclave

The NID foundation has organized the conference on the lines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of “One Nation One Family”.

Speakers at the Conclave expressed their ideas on the ‘Role of Minorities in Amrit Kaal’. Renowned academicians, industry leaders, sportspersons, scholars, and actors belonging to different Minority Communities discussed the opportunities and responsibilities that lay on the shoulders of the minorities -including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jain, and Parsis in India.

Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, inaugurated the event and Khan presided over the closing ceremony.

Among those who attended the conclave are: Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Founder, President, and Spiritual Director Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre; Sumaira Khan, TV Anchor; Tarlochan Singh, Former Chairman of National Commission for Minorities; Acharya (Dr.) Lokesh Muni, Founder President Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti; Raza Murad, Indian Actor; Dr. Sasmit Patra, Member of Parliament; Gurpreet Ghughi, Punjabi Actor; HaziSyed Salman Chishty, GadhiNashin Dargah AzmerSahrif, and Chairman Chishty Foundation; Dr. Maulana Kalbe Roushaid Rizvi, Social Figure; Mansoor Mehboob Khan, National President Sufi Islamic Board; Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chief Patron NID Foundation; and Prof. Himani Sood, President NID Foundation. More than 400 dignitaries attended the Conclave.

Arif Mohd Khan presenting momentos to the speakers

Iqbal Singh Lalpura said, “All the communities have made equal contributions to the Nation’s Development. Be it the freedom struggle or wars with Pakistan, those who participated in these have fought without any consideration of religion or caste. He said it’s time that “we should concentrate on the development of Indians as citizens and not people belonging to different communities”.

Bollywood and television actor Raza Murad said, “While working for more than 40 years in the film industry, I have never faced any issues or challenges just because I belong to the minority community. Actors like Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Salman Khan, and Shahrukh Khan have got public affection and recognition because of their talent and this makes our film industry the biggest platform of communal harmony and brotherhood."

Sumaira Khan noted News Anchor said, “Professional and personal growth of people belonging to different communities would ensure the growth of India. Government is reaching out to vulnerable sections of the society through various social welfare programs and as members of the society it is our duty that the benefits of such programs should reach the needy”

Tarlochan Singh, former Chairman National Commission for Minorities said, “Decades have passed that minorities including have been used merely as a vote bank. Nobody has thought of recognizing the efforts and contributions made by Sikh Community but Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was after 7 decades that sacrifices made by Chotte Sahibzade (Sons of Guru Gobind Singh) were recognized by a Government to be observed as a National Day. There is complete freedom of worship in our country and there are 4 National Holidays observed to mark important days of Muslims in the Central Government calendar”.

Leaders in deep conversation at the Conference

While sharing his views, Mansoor Ahmed said - "Sufis were never before given such importance till Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014. Our country is our home and if we have to keep our home positive and holy, we will have to avoid all the negativity so that nothing goes wrong. And as the world will progress towards globalization in the coming 25 years, the eyes of the world will be on us.

Gaddi Nashin Dargah Ajmer Sharif Hazi Syed Salman Chishty said, "Religion only teaches love towards all and hatred towards none. When we talk about rights and opportunities, you must realize your responsibilities first. India is a nation with diversity where language, religion, and culture may change after a few miles but despite that our country stands as a United India, which is the vision of every Indian. It is the responsibility of every citizen of the country to work as a team together to take it forward towards development."