The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), a leading representative body of the Sikh community, has expressed strong opposition to the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
During a high-level meeting chaired by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami on Saturday, July 8, the committee declared that the UCC suggested by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government is unnecessary for the country.
In their statement, the SGPC emphasized that the Constitution already acknowledges and upholds the principle of ‘unity in diversity.’ The SGPC believes that the UCC, which aims to establish a standardized set of laws applicable to all citizens regardless of their religious beliefs, undermines this principle and disregards the unique customs and traditions of different religious communities, including the Sikh community.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Harjinder Singh Dhami said, “There is an apprehension among the minorities in the country regarding the Uniform Civil Code that this code will hurt their identity, originality, and principles.”
The SGPC’s opposition to the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) aligns with the concerns expressed by several Muslim bodies, suggesting that there are shared apprehensions among religious minority groups. This indicates that various religious communities are raising similar arguments against the implementation of the UCC.
To address the issue of the UCC, the SGPC has taken the initiative to form a sub-committee comprising Sikh intellectuals, historians, scholars, and lawyers. This sub-committee is likely tasked with studying the potential implications of the UCC on the Sikh community, examining its compatibility with Sikh principles and traditions, and formulating a comprehensive response or strategy to protect the interests and rights of the Sikh community.
Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Sikh community firmly upholds the importance of Bani Bana (Gurbani and traditional Sikh attire), Bol Baale (sublime and supreme words or thoughts), principles, traditions, values, lifestyle, culture, independent existence, and distinct identity. He emphasized that any challenge to these aspects of Sikhism cannot be tolerated or accepted. Additionally, he stated that the Sikh Maryada (code of conduct) should not be subject to scrutiny or evaluation based on secular or worldly laws.
“The Sikh community opposes the UCC,” Dhami said.
Dhami also highlighted that the 21st Law Commission had previously rejected the idea of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), deeming it as neither desirable nor feasible.
This recent resolution passed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) marks the third time within a year that they have expressed their opposition to the UCC.
On 17th November 2022, the SGPC characterized any proposed UCC as a strategy aimed at promoting the interests of the majority community, driven by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and perceived it as a step towards establishing a Hindu Rashtra (nation).
On 16th December 2022, the SGPC resolution accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of introducing the UCC proposal to mobilize majority voters in the Assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. The resolution also criticized BJP national executive member Iqbal Singh Lalpura for his silence on the matter.