Sir — This refers to the article, “Confronting an isolationist mindset” (October 24) by Ravi Sharma. The Muslim community’s strong opposition to a common civil code, enshrined in the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution, as also the revoking of triple talaq, Nikah halala and polygamy, are all symbols of gender inequality.
The minority attitude, thus, represents a ‘separatist’ mindset. While analysing the issue, one cannot ignore some historic facts: India was partitioned on the basis of Mohammed Ali Jinnah’s two-nation theory which emphasised that Muslims cannot live with the majority community — Hindus.
Millions of Indian Muslims migrated to Pakistan. However, many more millions stayed back. It was hoped that these Muslims would accept the Indian secular, democratic ethos and would live happily with the majority under the constitutional laws. Sadly, this has not happened. Muslim religious leaders seem bent on isolating their community from the national mainstream.
It is bewildering that they are boycotting the law Commission’s questionnaire to know the Muslim view on the common code. The Government has made no decision on the code. It is a false propaganda that the Centre’s affidavit to the apex court opposing triple talaq is the first step to the imposition of a common code.