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Political Notes |
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Shiv Sena plans aggressive Hindutva
Clearly setting its eyes on the crucial Assembly elections in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena appears set to adopt an aggressive stance on Hindutva (Hindu activism) in an attempt to woo ‘non-Marathis’ (non-Maharashtrians) into its fold. The Sena’s strategy for the polls, slated to held in September-October, would be fine-tuned at the party’s two-day conclave. Though Sena had not completely abandoned its Hindutva ideology, its leaders have expressed opinion that its “Mumbai for Marathis” campaign cost the organisation dearly in the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls. The Sena could secure a solitary seat in Mumbai, its traditional stronghold.
In an attempt to sew a broad poll constituency, mostly comprising North Indians, Gujaratis and other trading communities, the Sena would play the Hindutva card in the run up to the Assembly poll.
Reforms in Muslim Personal Law
The Government has told the Lok Sabha that there is no proposal to bring in any legislation to provide for a uniform civil code in the country. In a written reply to a question whether the Supreme Court had advised the Government to enact a uniform civil code, Minister of State for Law and Justice K Venkatapathy ruled out enactment of such a law as it “involves changes in the personal laws, including those of minority communities”. “It has been the consistent policy of the Central Government not to interfere in the personal laws of the minority communities unless the necessary initiatives for such changes come from a sizeable cross-section of such communities”, he said. The Minister, however, admitted that July last year in the case of John Vallamattom vs. Union of India, the Supreme Court had made “certain observations in respect of enactment of a uniform civil code”. Last year, the Supreme Court had observed that there was no necessary link between “religious and personal law in a civilised society”. With a pro-minority agenda, the UPA Government was not expected to do anything that would alienate the Muslim community.
Triple Talaq controversy
Two positive signals seemed to emanate from the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board, following a meeting of its members in Kanpur. One, it recognised that Muslim women should be allowed to inherit agricultural land. Two, it conceded that triple talaq (divorce) should be “discouraged” as a practice. A revision of existing provisions on inheritance could amount to a significant step in ensuring gender justice.
The second observation seems less encouraging, on closer scrutiny. The Board ruled out legal correctives for what it admitted to be a “social ill”. Triple talaq was, in fact, described as divinely inspired-that is, flowing from the Shariat-and hence immune to abolition by human intervention. Also, the issue of upholding equal rights on divorce was not considered, despite the demand of Muslim women. A new nikahnama-privileging arbitration in cases of marital discord-was envisaged, as a sort of cushion against the prejudicial social effects of triple talaq. The Board, however, said it would “persuade” Muslims to follow Shariat rules in matters pertaining to marriage and its termination. Old positions, therefore, stand reiterated, strengthening the hands of the Muslim orthodoxy.
As a result, there can be little hope for substantive change, talk of “social reform” notwithstanding. The Muslim Board claims it seeks uniformity of views on reform, presumably due to intra-community resistance. If these minority `spokesmen’ genuinely wished to deliver Muslim women, observers say they would see that reform must be backed by legislation. They would create support for emancipatory laws, whose enactment would necessarily involve Government intervention.
Right-thinking Muslims, observers say, should strive to build consensus in favour of the enactment of a Uniform Civil Code. Last year, the Supreme Court had said that there was no necessary link between “religious and personal law in a civilised society”. Organisations such as the AIMPLB must first recognise this, before they can serve the cause of Muslim women or regenerate their larger communitarian life.
Mumbai blasts case : Life term for 11 accused
In a major judgement, a Sessions Court in Mumbai on July 9 awarded life sentence to 11 convicts, including a Pakistani national, for triggering a chain of bomb blasts in local trains and railway stations in 1998 killing four people. Besides life sentence, the accused were handed over various other sentences by the Additional Sessions Judge V.L. Achalya, who said all sentences should run consecutively and not concurrently. The Judge also directed the State Government not to exercise its powers to condone or reduce the punishment.
Acquitting Pakistani national Shamshed Gulam Kadir Hyder, the Court said he should be deported to Pakistan and Mumbai police has been asked to make necessary provision for his safe custody.
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