A New Idea of India: Individual Rights in a Civilisational State

by Harsh Gupta 'Madhusudan'

soft or symbolic secessionism within the Indian republic through a diluted Sharia remains the norm. The renowned jurist and Nehru’s cabinet colleague Mohammadali Carim Chagla wrote in his autobiography Roses In December: Consider the attitude of the Government to the question of uniform civil code … Government has refused to do anything about it on the plea that minorities will resent any attempt at imposition. Unless they are agreeable it would not be fair and proper to make the law applicable to them. I wholly and emphatically disagree with this view. The Constitution is binding on everyone, majority and minority … Jawaharlal showed great strength and courage in getting the Hindu Reform Bill passed, but he accepted the policy of laissez faire where the Muslims and other minorities were concerned. I am horrified to find that in my country, while monogamy has been made the law for the Hindus, Muslims can still indulge in the luxury of polygamy. It is an insult to womanhood; and Muslim women, I know, resent this discrimination between Muslim women and Hindu women.