NEW DELHI: Uttarakhand waqf board’s plan to introduce a revised marriage contract, or nikahnama, within a month “to align it with the Uniform Civil Code” has not gone down well with All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), which has challenged UCC in the high court.AIMPLB spokesperson SQR Ilyas said that the board opposes any such move by state waqf board and state govt and wants to reiterate that the nikahnama should not be revised till Uttarakhand HC gives its judgement. “Our view is clear that Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act exists and is a valid Indian law. So, how can UCC be used to overrule provisions of an existing personal law on marriage, divorce or inheritance rights? Even today, those who do not want to go by a personal law have the right to recourse under civil laws applicable to all persons. So why a UCC?” Ilyas asked.He said the board is going to challenge UCC passed in Gujarat, Assam and MP, as it has done in Uttarakhand. It will also be taking up the issue of UCC when it launches the “Movement for Protection of the Constitution and Sharia” – a national campaign that will get underway from Jantar Mantar on Sept 17.
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As reported by TOI, Uttarakhand waqf board authorities are scheduled to meet UCC panel members on Sept 9 to review and refine the draft. The revised document will remove columns for second, third and fourth marriages. Reaffirming that instant talaq is unconstitutional, the contract strictly stipulates single marriages, while the practice of ‘halala’ will be banned across the state.Conversion solely for marriage will no longer be permitted, requiring individuals wishing to convert to follow procedures outlined under Special Marriage Act of 1954. The mandatory waiting period known as ‘iddat’ will no longer be enforced, giving women the autonomy to determine the duration themselves.