India: Massive Protest by Uttarakhand’s Muslims Against Uniform Civil Code

Hundreds of members of the Muslim community in India’s Uttarakhand gathered in Haridwar to protest against the recently implemented Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which they perceive as a threat to their religious identity, Kasmir Media Service reported. Organized by the Muslim Seva Sangathan, demonstrators assembled outside the Collectorate office, demanding the law’s immediate withdrawal.

Implemented on January 27, the UCC aims to standardize personal laws across all religions. While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government promotes it as a step toward national unity and gender equality, community leaders argue that it undermines their religious traditions.

Mohammad Rizwan, a prominent figure in the Muslim Seva Sangathan, stated, “We are not against the law of the land, but the UCC directly violates our religious rights.” The protesters submitted a memorandum to the Governor through Haridwar Tehsildar Priyanka Rani, outlining their grievances and calling for the law’s revocation.