PRAYAGRAJ: Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadavthe Allahabad HC judge who publicly backed the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) at a VHP event during the weekend, had previously advocated making “cow protection a fundamental right of Hindu community”.
Justice Yadav was among two judges invited to the provincial convention of VHP’s legal cell in Kashi, but the other guest -Justice Dinesh Pathak – did not attend Sunday’s event at the HC’s library hall.
VHP said Monday that its legal cell was “setting the tone for UCC, Waqf Board (Amendment) Bill, and freeing temples from govt control” by engaging with legal fraternity in all states.
“UCC’s purpose is to promote social harmony, gender equality and secularism by eliminating unequal legal systems based on different religions and communities,” Justice Yadav told the gathering in Allahabad.
“The aim is to replace various personal laws that currently govern personal matters within different religious communities, ensuring uniformity of laws not only between communities but within a community.”
In Sept 2021, the judge caused a stir when he called for cow to be declared India’s national animal. “When culture and faith are hurt, the country becomes weak,” he said while hearing a case pertaining to cow slaughter.
At the Allahabad event, VHP co-convener Abhishek Atrey stoked another row by invoking J&K in reference to turmoil in Bangladesh. With Justice Yadav looking on, he said, “Bangladesh appears to be another Kashmir. We have to stay united to protect our identity.”
VHP’s international president Alok Kumar told TOI that the plan to engage with advocates and judges across all states by March next year was an extension of the work done by the organisation’s legal cell to spread awareness about UCC and the need to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 and repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923. VHP’s push for UCC is part of the right-wing pitch for a uniform set of laws governing all citizens, irrespective of religion.
