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Daljeet Singh Cheema talks to The Indian Express about the push for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), how it will affect his party’s chances of reviving its 2024 alliance with the BJP, the risk of further unrest at a time when the North East is in unrest, and why Sikhs cannot assume that the problem does not affect them. Excerpts:
* What is your party’s position on the UCC?
something: We are strongly against that. The social fabric of a country – unity in diversity – should not be broken. There are different cultures and religions. UCC implementation is not possible anyway. All civil laws have their roots in religious scriptures. It is a sensitive issue. The last legal committee had given clear consultations, stating that UCC was neither desirable nor feasible. The imposition of UCC will lead to unnecessary tension in the country. Peace will be disrupted and people will distrust the regime. If there is any provision in the existing law that is unfair in respect of any debt, then that provision can be amended. During the drafting of the Constitution, the implementation of the UCC was discussed, but at the time it was kept in guidelines, as freedom of religion was considered more important.
* How, according to the SAD, will the UCC affect Sikhs? We already know that Muslims feel that it will affect them.
something: We are also part of the same country whose basic concept of diversity you want to change. We are a community that believes in Sarbat Da Bhalla (May Everyone Prosper). Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib sacrificed his life for the freedom of someone else’s religion. Therefore, it is our duty as Sikhs to oppose any wrongful act, and to object if wrongdoing is done in any religion.
* Any example of how it affects Sikhs in practice?
Chima: For example, what will happen to the Anand (Sikh) marriage law after UCC? It would be shooting in the dark if we said UCC does not influence us. They (BJP) have an absolute majority, and we don’t know what they will do. One country, one law makes no sense. Our constitution accepts diversity.
* UCC is said to be a dispute between India’s two largest majorities, and Sikhs have been drawn into it for no reason.
something: It is not about becoming a party to the conflict. Sikhs are equal citizens of this country, and they should worry equally about its problems. When you talk about changing the social fabric of a country, it affects all religions.
* Does SAD’s opposition to the UCC harm the possibility of an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party before the 2024 general election?
something: For us, principles come first. Everything else comes second. We are very clear about saying no to what is wrong. What is most important to us is to support what is right. There is no double standard. The man who claimed to be the founder of reformist politics, the head of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Arvind Kejriwal, was the first to support UCC. We have also told (Chief Minister of Punjab) Bhagwant Mann, who claimed he would take everyone with him, that they (AAP) were exposed, no different.
* SAD and BJP have always had differences, but your alliance collapsed due to farm law reforms. Is the UCC a serious disagreement, or can you get together in the near future while maintaining different positions in the UCC?
something: There is no point in discussing it today. We have taken a clear position on the new policy pursued by the Union Government. It is our duty and it must be appreciated. There is already unrest in the northeastern states. If such issues are presented as UCC, it is not positive for the country.
* The SGPC (Shirumani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) has accused RSS and BJP of trying to polarize and divide India with UCC. Does your party also think that the RSS is involved in this?
Chima: UCC should be carried out by the union government, not by any organisation. The prime minister himself is leading the UCC campaign, so we’re referring to who is leading it.
Q: Is the BJP trying to polarize its vote bank and ignore the other issues you mentioned?
something: Not only BJP but also AAP is trying to engage in polarization politics. They both take the same line. One brought up the issue, and the other gave his support “in principle” to it. We are against UCC in principle, and we will oppose it in our proposals to the Legal Committee.
* Any suggestions to the Union government regarding Union Carbide Corporation?
something: We want to ask if there is any loss in UCC failure to implement? What is the rush to do something that might weaken society? There are pressing issues such as unemployment, poverty, inequality and hunger. The focus should be on these real issues, rather than polarizing the community.
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