IN a contentious move, a bill proposed by an Indian state governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reignited concerns about the imposition of a majoritarian agenda and the erosion of minority rights. The bill, introduced in Uttarakhand, a northern state nestled along the Himalayas, aims to overhaul personal laws, encompassing regulations across religious lines. Among its provisions are the prohibition of polygamy and the introduction of equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters.
The BJP-led government’s controversial move to implement a uniform personal law across religions has been met with fervent opposition, particularly from Muslim leaders who view the bill as an infringement upon their religious freedoms. Such legislation not only undermines the autonomy of minority communities but also perpetuates a broader narrative of Hindu majoritarianism espoused by the BJP. Central to the controversy is the perceived threat posed to Islamic injunctions, particularly regarding polygamy and inheritance rights. Polygamy, permitted under Islamic law, allows a man to have multiple wives under certain conditions. Similarly, within Islamic jurisprudence, there exists a prescribed framework for the inheritance rights of women in property. The proposed bill in Uttarakhand represents just one facet of a broader trend of marginalization and discrimination faced by Muslim communities in India. In recent months and years, one has seen Hindu extremists taking over mosques and incidents of violence perpetrated by cow vigilantes. Several international experts are on record warning of the threat of genocide of Indian Muslims. These incidents, coupled with legislative measures such as the personal laws bill, underscore the systemic challenges faced by religious minorities in India. The international community must take heed of these developments and condemn the erosion of minority rights in India. Upholding the principles of religious freedom is essential in safeguarding the rights and dignity of all citizens. It is imperative that concerted efforts are made to hold the Indian government accountable and ensure the protection of religious freedoms for all its people.
