A viral video circulating on social media has brought attention to Maharashtra NCP MLA Sana Malik, who reportedly endorsed polygamy and advocated for the implementation of Pakistani laws in India. This assertion has ignited widespread debate and criticism, prompting a reaction from Maharashtra’s Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam.

Malik clarified that her statements made during the Maharashtra Assembly debate on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) were misinterpreted. She stated that her objections were focused on the undue references to Pakistan during important discussions on women’s safety and the practice of triple talaq.

Highlighting the need for more pertinent dialogue, Malik indicated that the conversation should centre on the atrocities against women, rather than linking such issues to specific religions or communities. Her comments aimed to steer the discourse toward the practices affecting Indian women rather than referencing legal frameworks from other nations.

Clarification of Remarks by MLA

In her statements, Malik specifically questioned why comparisons were being drawn to Pakistan in relation to Indian legal discussions. She emphasised the need for lawmakers to focus on the laws and their implications rather than involving Pakistan in the debate. Malik asserted that Indian Muslims adhere to the Indian Constitution, which grants them the right to practice and propagate their faith freely.

In addressing the issue of polygamy, Malik noted that Islamic Personal Law permits the practice under stringent regulations, yet acknowledged that polygamy can be found across various religions in India. She contended that laws protecting women’s rights should be equitable and applicable to all communities, without singling out a particular religion or invoking regulations from foreign jurisdictions.

Malik’s comments drew criticism from several quarters, with many calling for clearer guidelines regarding the sensitive issues bordering religious practices and women’s rights in India.

Response from Government Official

In response to Malik’s comments, Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, firmly stated that the laws in India are not based on any religious texts or scriptures. He underscored that it is the legislature’s responsibility to ensure fairness and justice for all segments of society, aiming to eliminate practices deemed unfair under the law.

Kadam stressed that laws enacted by both state and central governments are intended solely for delivering justice, and emphasised that intertwining India’s legal framework with religious sentiments is inappropriate. His comments were a direct counter to Malik’s statements regarding the applicability of foreign laws within India’s legal system.

The ongoing discourse highlights the complexity of regulating personal laws within a diverse society, with different communities interpreting religious practices in varied ways. The government appears to be taking a stance focused on upholding equality and justice across all religious and cultural divides.

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