The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has stated that the 22nd Law Commission’s proposal for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is not in the best interest of the nation. SAD believes that implementing the UCC without a genuine consensus among all faiths, especially minorities, would go against the spirit of the Constitution and create fear.
Sukhbir Badal, the President of SAD, wrote a letter to the commission expressing these concerns. He emphasized that uniformity should not be confused with unity, as India represents unity in diversity, not uniformity. Badal believes that only a truly federal structure can solve India’s problems and make it a global superpower.
SAD urges the government to reconsider the idea of a UCC and take into account the sentiments of the Sikh community before making any decisions. They stress that maintaining peace and communal harmony in Punjab, a sensitive border state, should be a top national priority.
Badal informed the commission that SAD has consulted with various stakeholders within and outside the state. Based on these consultations, they have gathered that implementing the UCC will negatively impact the freedom of minority communities of different castes, creeds, and religions.
The letter also points out that since no draft of the proposed UCC has been prepared or circulated, it is impossible to make any tangible suggestions on the issue.
