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The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has strongly opposed the "Constitution and Sharia Protection Movement" announced by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.
VHP Central Joint Secretary Vijay Shankar Tiwari on Tuesday said, "India is a nation governed by a constitution. Constitution is supreme in the country, not Sharia. Organizations who try to invoke Sharia parallel to the Constitution are undermining the country's unity." VHP leader Tiwari further added that Muslims in India are Indian citizens and enjoy all the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. However, citizenship also comes with responsibilities. Accepting the laws of the country, respecting national symbols, and understanding the spirit of a Uniform Civil Code are also part of that citizenship. "Muslim Personnel Law Board repeatedly projects an image suggesting that Muslims are being persecuted, mosques and madrasas are being targeted, bulldozers are being used exclusively against them, and Vande Mataram constitutes an attack on their religion. This is an incomplete and misleading picture. Illegal construction, encroachment, and the flouting of court orders do not amount to protecting a religion. The law applies equally to everyone; it is inappropriate to claim victimhood by attempting to pass off the illegal as legal", he added. The VHP Leader said that by opposing the Uniform Civil Code, the Muslim Personal Law Board is effectively opposing equal rights for women within its own community. Insisting on the indefinite continuation of practices like polygamy, unequal inheritance rights, and personal law provisions that conflict with the constitutional principle of equality is not in the national interest. The steps taken by the courts and Parliament regarding 'triple talaq' were in the interest of justice. "Vande Mataram is a song associated with India's freedom struggle. Expressing respect for the nation is not an insult to any religion. Those who cannot respect the national song lose the moral right to speak about the Constitution," he added The VHP leader appealed to the enlightened section of the Muslim community not to spread an atmosphere of fear themselves through the statements of their leaders. "In this country, the lives, property, and places of worship of Muslims are protected by the Constitution, not by Sharia. Those hardline leaders who threaten to launch movements by equating the Constitution with Sharia should explain that if a conflict arises between the two, which one will they abide by? Constitution or Sharia?," he said. "The Vishwa Hindu Parishad's clear message is that no community's personal law can be placed above the Constitution in India. A Uniform Civil Code is a demand for national unity and genuine equality. Action against illegal construction and encroachment cannot be stopped on religious grounds. Respecting Vande Mataram is an expression of patriotism, not opposition to any religion. Attempts to divide the country by portraying oneself as a victim will not be accepted," he added. The VHP Leader said that Hindu society is not opposed to anyone's legitimate religious practices. However, any attempt to impose Sharia above the Constitution is against the nation. (ANI)
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