Though he is a BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan, Dr Kirori Lal Meena, is known for his clever and genuine protests. In last 4 years of Gehlot government, Meena joined protests with  others regardless of party politics and gender bias. Meena leads their sit-in, roadblocks, sleeping on ground in all seasons with them, entering into secretariat and CM’s residence. Meena enables them to get justice and demands fulfilled. Meena makes the Gehlot government answerable on public agitations.

None else among BJP’s political figures has such a boldness, competence and sharpness to challenge the Gehlot government in the state. Last year in August,  unceasing charisma that he is, he forcibly  hoisted a Meena community flag (Jai Meenesh) over Amagarh Fort, and got it opened for all other community people who worship there. As he has stronghold in eastern districts of Alwar, Dausa, Karauli, Sawaimadhopur, Bharatpur, and tribal belt of Banswara districts, no government (specially Congress led) can dare to stop him but they tried to resolve the demands and issues on top priority and on the spot.

The 70 years vibrant Meena, having an MBBS degree, was first elected from Mahwa assembly in Dausa district in 1985, then he was a cabinet minister in the previous Raje government during 2003-08, and due to political differences with Raje he  quit the BJP party in 2008. His wife Golma Devi (like Rabri Devi of Bihar) entered into politics as an Independent MLA and was MoS in the Gehlot’s second term 2008-13. He joined PA Sangma led National People’s Party, but  finally returned to the BJP fold and was offered Rajya Sabha MP seat from Rajasthan in 2018.  Using his political credentials and power of Meena community and being Prime Minister’s blue eyed boy, Dr Kirori Lal was prompted to place a private member’s bill on Uniform Civil Code in Rajya Sabha amidst Opposition parties’ allegations of killing democracy and unity in diversity.

Will it be a ‘litmus test’ of the NDA government or will it be disastrous like the 3-farmers bills which were withdrawn after yearlong agitation in Punjab and Haryana states last year.  In a frank conversation with Dr Yash Goyal, Meena revealed the facts of the bill that he hoped to get through in near future, if not soon, may  be before the LS polls in 2024.

How would you explain, what is Uniform Civil Code ?

It means a common law for everyone in the country. Without considering the religion, castes and domicile, one common law should come in force to protect the personal rights of all citizens. I belong to a tribe, I am Hindu, I can have two marriages. You cannot do it, and if anyone does it he would be punished under the section 494 of IPC for seven years. In our country, Muslim man can do 3/4/5 marriages, whereas in the neighbouring country Pakistan, a second marriage is only possible when Muslim man gets his wife’s consent. There is a disparity in law, and to remove/correct this disparity, Uniform Civil Code needs to be applied. The bill titled ‘The Uninform Civil Code in India Bill, 2022 was brought in Rajya Sabha for every religion and caste. There is no uniform law in our country with regard to marriage, divorce, adoption, succession, property, and these subjects are controlled by the personal laws. Hence the UCC should be ensured to all citizens residing in areas where the population of entire geographical areas resides.

When the NDA goverrnment led by PM Narendra Modi has full majority in Parliament, why this bill was moved as a Private Member’s Bill?  

There are cetrain rules of public interest that gives information to the government and Janta at large. This is/was a national interest issue, that is why I introduced it. Member of Parliament (MPs) usually bring such private bills in every session, and it is up to the House and a debate cutting across the party lines to decide nor not to decide on such public matters.

Earlier BJP and its MPs discouraged this UCC if moved through you, then what brought them together in Parliament ?  

This is wrong. This question does not arise. No one in BJP/MPs opposed it. It was a pertient issue in early days of Jan Sangh (now BJP) along with abrogation of article 370 in Kashmir, Ram Mandir Nirman, and CAA (The Citizenship (Amendment) Act. These have been very important agenda of the BJP party. This is the ideology and thinking of BJP that a common law be enacted in the country.

Is this privarte member’s  bill taken up seriously by RS MPs ?

It is a sensitive issue. A lot of Opposition. The Indian courts are worried and wanted it to be taken up in Parliament. You can consider it as a “Litmus Test” of the BJP government on this particular bill.

Whether UCC would be applicable to all castes like SC/ST/OBC/MBC/EWS?  Will it be governing marriages in these castes ?

The traditions of tribes are different in many states. The intention of this bill to bring uniformity and what would be its framework, it would be decided in the UCC. I remember during former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje’s tenure a bill was brought for daughters’ right in father’s property. This is not possible in Muslims but a Shariyat Law is applied and accepted in marriage, adoption, and divorce. The rights of women are curtailed in the muslim community, hence, the UCC would empowered them. The wrong trend of religious conversion would be contained.

What is the main point in this bill which will be taken up first to start with ?

The Central government shall, within a period of six months from the coming into force of this act, constitute a Committee to be called National Inspection & Investigation Committee for the purpose of UCC and its implementation in the country. The Committee will consist of a Chairperson, who shall be a retired Chief Justice of India, Union Minister of Home Affairs-ex-officio member, Union Minister of Law and Justice-ex-officio member and other members mentioned in the bill. The Central government would, after due appropriation made by Parliament by law in this behalf, provide adequate funds to the committee for carrying out the purposes  of this act.

India a nation of diversity in culture. Unity in Diversity. Ekta Meain Anekta Hai. The committee would give its report keeping a view that no dispute shall arise, no unrest to prevail, and the communal harmony be maintained.

What are the legal Objects and Resasons to introudce this bill ?

I like to quote it : The Statement of Objects and Reasons clearly said, “Besides, no government showed proper will power to implement these constitutional provisions, because the minorities, especially the Muslims believed that the UCC will lead to the violation of their personal laws. Hence,, only to compile the Hindu Laws, this Acts like the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the Hindu Succession Act,

1956, the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 and Hindu Adoptions and Maitenance Act, 1956 were enacted. In these Acts along with the Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, laws related to different religious communities of the Hindus are included vide which women have been given right to divorce and succession and caste has been termed irrelevant for marriage. Also polygamy has been done away with. In the present context, it seems our country is divided into three classes on UCC, namely political, social and religious. In the Shah Bano case, the Supreme Court decided that section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 is applicable to all irrespctive of religion, caste and community. The court directed that Shah Bano must be provided with living expenses. The then Chief Justice Y V Chandrachud said the UCC would end the dissmilarlities in the Indian law which would help in establishing national unity. Hence, the SC had observed that the Parliament may make the law related to the UCC.

In the Constituent Assembly, while on the one hand there were people like Dr B R Ambedkar who desired reform in the society and wanted to accept UCC, and there were also Muslim represenatives who took side to retaining the Personal Laws based on the religious enshrines. As a result, regarding the UCC, only one line could be added as aricle 44 of under Part IV  as Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constituion. In this article it is stated that the State shall endeavour to secure for citizens a UCC throughout the territory of India. Since the UCC has been included in the Directive Principles of State Policy of the state, hence this can not be enforced.

Not only the SC, the High Courts have also expressed their concern and worry on UCC many times. Thus, it is a proper time to introduce this bill and get it passed in Parliament”.

Will this act bring gender equality too ?

Gender inequality does exist in the society and particularly in minorities. Its level is very high and worrying. I believe this act will change gender inequality into neutrality, and the discrimination would end.

NDA Government is in power for the last 8 years, how come this bill is delayed ?

This is true. Every thing has its own time. The Modi government has so many other issues to be taken up first. Now time has come for this. India has witnessed a number of cases of Love Jehad, and Live in Relationship. Recently in Delhi it was terrible and scary that a man (Aftab Ameen) chopped off his wife’s body into 35 pieces. Our party has a serious concern and worried on such matters. This is also a subject for intellectuals. Therefore, it is high time to get this act passed.

In Rajya Sabha, many political parties including Congress, TMC, MDMK, RJD, SP, CPI, CPIM, NCP have opposed your move to place this Bill, how would you convice them ?

          All those parties who opposed it are doing politics of appeasment. They are engaged in misleading a ‘Dharam Vishesh’ (a particular religion), creating fear, and they have making them a vote bank. Therefore they (Opposition) are making anti-act atmoshpere. Even the Teen Talak act was accepted by the Muslim women and they are happy now. Of course, Opposition made hue and cry on this too. Oppositon always trying to create fear like a terror  in the minds of mulsims so that they can bank on their votes in election. The Central government has clearly stated this is not against any religion and caste. Everyone will get benefit of UCC. This is the main purpose.

You (Meena) belong to Sheduled Tribe community, will it affect ST castes ?

As I am, I can do two marriages, because the Hindu law does not apply to the tribe. The tribe is governed by their customs rather than the law. In such a situation, the Uniform Civil Code will not have any effect on the tribal class. As I said earlier the Muslim men in India can do 3/4/5 marriages, but in Pakistan, one has to take legal permission from his wife. That’s a disparity to be corrected.

What would be the future line of action of this private member’s bill ? 

This bill will go up to the Presidet for her approval/consent. Then it would go to Business Advisory Committee of Parliament to take decision on it when and whehter to place the bill in Parliament. When it is placed, a debate will be invited to clear the bill.

Do not you expect any strong resentment against this bill on streets by the Opposition parties and NGOs  ? 

No possiblity of untoward incident. Bringing-in this bill will not harm anyone nor it would do unjustice to any citizen.                         (TIP)