In a statement that is bound to stir political and social circles, Dr. Salim Raj, the Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Waqf Board, has come out strongly in favor of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Breaking the traditional mold, Raj asserted that India must be governed by a single law—the Constitution of India—rather than individual religious laws like Muslim or Christian personal laws.

Challenging the Dual Legal System: Salim Raj highlighted the stark differences between Islamic punishments and Indian penal codes. He noted that while Islamic law prescribes stoning to death for heinous crimes like rape, the Indian legal system follows a different judicial process. He accused sections of the Muslim community of exploiting the “dual law” system to their advantage, calling it a direct violation of the constitutional spirit. “Religions can be different, but the law of the land must be one,” he stated emphatically.

The Call for Equality: The Waqf Board Chairman pointed out the disparity where practitioners of Sanatan Dharma are bound by a single legal framework, while others enjoy the flexibility of personal laws. He labeled this “double standard” as unacceptable and called for immediate reform to ensure equality for all citizens. As the nationwide debate on UCC intensifies, Salim Raj’s bold stance from within a prominent religious administrative body marks a significant turning point in the discourse.