Uttarakhand Wakf Board's nikah amendment sparks uniform code debate

The Uttarakhand Wakf Board recently removed columns referring to second, third and fourth marriages from the nikahnama, prompting Maulana Syed Mohsin Takvi to comment on the broader implications for the Uniform Civil Code. He noted that multiple marriages are not exclusive to Muslims; they occur among Hindus and other communities as well. Takvi argued that any legislation, including the UCC, must be universally applicable and not target a single faith. He warned that altering nikah regulations under the UCC could interfere with established Muslim personal law, which permits but does not mandate a second marriage and requires equal treatment of spouses. The cleric questioned whether the UCC will address India's pressing challenges or merely divert attention from more critical issues.