Islamic organizations in the Indian state of Rajasthan staged a protest in Jaipur against a Uniform Personal Law Bill proposed by the state government, amid concerns over its impact on Muslim personal laws and the religious freedoms guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.
The demonstration, organized by the Rajasthan Muslim Forum after Friday prayers at the Musafirin Complex on Moti Dungri Road, drew large numbers of men and women who called on the state government to withdraw the bill and reconsider its provisions.
The protesters attempted to march toward the state legislative assembly, but police blocked their path and set up security barricades, leading to verbal confrontations. Representatives of the protesters were later allowed to reach a designated point and submit a memorandum outlining their demands to officials.
The protests followed the introduction of the bill by the Rajasthan state government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in the legislative assembly. Detailed consideration of the bill is expected to be postponed until after the local elections scheduled for November.
The bill seeks to unify a number of provisions related to personal status, including marriage and its validity requirements, while retaining the minimum marriage age at 21 for men and 18 for women and banning a married person from entering into another marriage. It also recognizes forms of marriage conducted under different religious and customary traditions, including the Islamic nikah contract.
The Rajasthan Muslim Forum, however, criticized the bill, arguing that it disproportionately affects Muslim personal laws. It also raised questions about describing it as a “uniform” law while excluding certain tribes and communities from its scope.
Forum member and lawyer Sarwar Alam said the protesters view the bill as an infringement on the religious freedom guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, expressing concerns over its potential impact on religious and cultural rights, privacy, and equality before the law.
In their memorandum, the protesters referred to Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, which concerns efforts toward a Uniform Civil Code, stressing that it falls under the Directive Principles of State Policy and calling for an assessment of the proposed legislation’s compatibility with constitutional rights and freedoms.
The forum called on the Rajasthan government to withdraw the bill and conduct broader consultations with different segments of society, warning that protests could spread across the state if the government proceeds with its adoption.
