Nasheman news
Bangalore, India: While the country (India) continues to resonate nationwide on discussions over a ‘proposed Uniform Civil Code’ (UCC) by the ruling Government, speakers at a conference 7th October considered it draconian and a threat to the unity and diversity of India. They compared it to the old story of blind men trying to understand and describe an elephant.
The Conference held at the KAS hall in Bangalore. KAS is a facility for Karnataka Administration Officers.
The Conference organized by the Forum for Democracy and Mutual Amity was presided by Retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Gopal Gowda who asked how can something be uniform when parts of the North-east have special privileges enshrined in the Constitution itself?
Showing the audience a copy of the constitution, he also quoted Laws on Goa marriage issues which are still under Portugese Law.
The retired Judge, in good humour asked ‘Why do we want a ‘Uniform Civil Code’ when the Constitution itself has prescribed privileges for some sections of people in the Country?
He also questioned “Do we want a people’s democracy or a parliamentary democracy?”
Social Activist Shivshankar, drew reference to the embarassment of a reputed Lady journalist on National Television who was stumped in a discussion on the UCC when the veteran politician and legal luminary asked her what she knows about the UCC. He asked her for a script on the UCC.
Incidentally, she was interviewing him on UCC. Shivshankar informed the audience that the Lady Journalist knew nothing of the UCC.
Ravi Varma Kumar, former Advocate General and Senior Counsel of the High Court of Karnataka, said
“Let the Prime Minister declare Rahu Kaala (in Indian terms -auspicious moment) as invalid” He added “I’m not against UCC, I’m against discrimination of any sort” How do you reconcile this he asked. “Why UCC? let’s have one code, one caste” he asked.
On the sidelines, after his speech, Dr.Belgami Mohammed Saad, State President (Karnataka) of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind pointed out “This conference is about giving a voice to people of all religions. Wherever the Law oppressesbasic Human Freedom, it is unacceptable. Freedom to profess and practice one’s Religion whether Hindu, Christian or Muslim or just about any Faith or Belief is a fundamental constitutional Right…A UCC is a direct infringement and violation of this Right”
In the audience interact a participant asked “Why is that such Conferences only have retired Judges or other retired Government official to speak?”
He persisted saying “Why can’t people in office put their hats down for a cause while in office to vouch for a cause?”He appreciated the Honourable Judge for saying “Take this message through people all across Karnataka”
D N Munikrishna, Former Director General of Police(Karnataka -India), Police, Media and Social Activist Cynthia Stephen, Kathiyani, attended the Conference.
