Madhya Pradesh CM invokes Hindu-Muslim icons to argue for Uniform Civil Code

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday made a controversial statement in support of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), drawing parallels between Hindu and Muslim religious figures. Speaking at a public event in Bhopal, Yadav said, “If Lord Ram married once, then Prophet Muhammad (referred to as Rahim) also married once. Why should there be different laws for different communities?”

The Chief Minister’s remarks are part of a broader push by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government to implement a common set of personal laws for all citizens, irrespective of religion. The UCC, which is listed in Article 44 of the Indian Constitution as a directive principle, has been a politically charged issue, with opposition parties and Muslim groups opposing it on grounds of religious freedom.

Yadav’s statement drew immediate criticism from opposition leaders, who accused him of distorting religious history and oversimplifying a complex legal issue. “Comparing the marital lives of religious figures is not only factually incorrect but also disrespectful,” said a spokesperson for the Indian National Congress. Muslim clerics also condemned the remark, stating that the Quran permits multiple marriages under specific conditions, and that such analogies trivialise faith.

Supporters of the Chief Minister, however, defended his comments, arguing that the UCC would promote gender equality and national integration. “If we can have one law for crimes and contracts, why not for marriage and inheritance?” asked a BJP spokesperson.

The Uniform Civil Code has been a longstanding promise of the BJP, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocating for it on multiple occasions. Several BJP-ruled states, including Uttarakhand, have already initiated steps to draft a UCC. However, the issue remains deeply divisive, with many minority communities viewing it as an encroachment on their cultural identity.

Legal experts note that implementing a UCC would require harmonising diverse personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption across religions. While some argue it would simplify the legal system and ensure equal rights for women, others caution that it could dilute minority protections enshrined in the Constitution.

In his speech, Yadav also highlighted the need for a common civil code to prevent “vote-bank politics” and ensure “one nation, one law.” He urged all communities to rise above religious differences and support the move for national unity.

The remarks have intensified the debate around the UCC, with political parties gearing up for a showdown in the upcoming state assembly elections. The Congress and other opposition parties have vowed to resist any attempt to impose a uniform code without consensus.