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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Govt assures swift UCC implementation

Mumbai: Maharashtra government unequivocally declared its commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code across the state, assuring the legislative assembly that a comprehensive legal framework is already in the advanced stages of formulation. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam categorically stated on the floor of the House on Tuesday that the ruling Mahayuti administration is entirely positive about the swift introduction of the Uniform Civil Code to standardize personal laws. To...

Govt assures swift UCC implementation

Mumbai: Maharashtra government unequivocally declared its commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code across the state, assuring the legislative assembly that a comprehensive legal framework is already in the advanced stages of formulation. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam categorically stated on the floor of the House on Tuesday that the ruling Mahayuti administration is entirely positive about the swift introduction of the Uniform Civil Code to standardize personal laws. To facilitate this monumental legislative transition, the state government has formally sanctioned the constitution of a dedicated expert committee, which is being spearheaded by a retired High Court judge. This committee has been entrusted with the critical responsibility of meticulously preparing the draft bill for the Uniform Civil Code, which the government intends to enact immediately upon the submission of the final report. Emphasising the overarching objectives of the proposed legislation, Kadam noted that the Uniform Civil Code would universally apply to every citizen irrespective of their religious affiliations and would explicitly incorporate a stringent ban on the controversial practice of polygamy. The minister drew direct parallels with the legislative measures recently adopted by states like Uttarakhand, underscoring that the impending law in Maharashtra would similarly entail severe penal consequences, potentially including imprisonment for up to seven years for violations related to polygamy and illegal divorce practices. He firmly maintained that the government’s approach is fundamentally secular, harboring no animosity toward any specific religion, but is rather driven by the constitutional imperative to extend equal rights, legal protection, and comprehensive justice to women from all communities. This definitive policy assurance from the government was catalysed by a highly volatile calling attention motion initiated by BJP legislator Devyani Farande, which thrust the deeply sensitive issues of triple talaq and polygamy into the center of the assembly’s monsoon session. Farande brought the ongoing plight of Muslim women to the immediate attention of the House, asserting that despite the central government’s strict legislative prohibition, the illegal practice of instant divorce continues to flourish unabated.

Mumbai’s Known Unknowns

Amit Thackeray

The late U.S. Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, during a 2002 press briefing, famously distinguished between “known knowns,” “known unknowns,” and “unknown unknowns” - a framework that sought to categorize the complexities of intelligence and decision-making. His remarks, emphasizing the importance of understanding the limits of one’s knowledge, were made context of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. As Mumbai gears up for a fiercely contested electoral battle, the phrase rings eerily true where established political dynasties and their legacies clash with the unpredictability of voter sentiment, emerging challenges, and the shifting alliances that characterize the electoral arena.


This election cycle, filled with familiar names and entrenched rivalries, poses challenges that few can foresee, even as the players remain well known.


Amit Thackeray, the son of Raj Thackeray and a new face in Maharashtra’s political landscape, has thrown his hat into the ring by contesting from the Mahim constituency. While one might assume that a legacy associated with the Thackeray name would afford him an easy path, he faces significant hurdles. Sada Sarvankar, the incumbent MLA from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, is steadfast in his candidacy, refusing to step aside despite being part of the Mahayuti alliance. Sarvankar’s past victories, including a decisive win in 2019, suggest that the Thackeray scion is in for a tough fight.


Meanwhile, the dynamics are further complicated by the presence of Mahesh Sawant, the candidate from Uddhav Thackeray’s faction of Shiv Sena (UBT). With a history of strong electoral performance in Mahim, Sawant could siphon votes away from Amit Thackeray, presenting a formidable barrier in a contest already rife with uncertainty.


The looming presence of minority communities in Mahim, coupled with the shifting alliances among the traditional powerhouses, creates an unpredictable voter landscape. Will Amit Thackeray succeed in rallying support from Raj Thackeray’s legacy, or will Sarvankar’s established credibility prove insurmountable?


In Worli, a neighbouring constituency steeped in Shiv Sena tradition, Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora from Eknath Shinde’s Sena is stepping into a duel against incumbent MLA Aaditya Thackeray, whose own political journey is now fraught with precariousness. The younger Thackeray’s 2019 victory by a margin of over 68,000 votes feels like a distant memory, as recent Lok Sabha electoral results (where his lead from Worli had significantly reduced) signal a waning grip on the constituency. This once unassailable bastion is now vulnerable, with Deora poised to capitalize on any faltering support from Aaditya’s base.


In the Vandre East assembly constituency, Zeeshan Siddique, who finally quit the Congress to join Ajit Pawar’s ruling NCP, has carved out a robust base of support among young voters and the local Muslim community. His reputation is bolstered by a direct engagement with constituents, addressing local issues head-on and leveraging social media to foster connections. Additionally, the recent daylight killing of his father, Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister, may elicit sympathy votes that could prove crucial in this election.


Conversely, Varun Sardesai, Uddhav Thackeray’s nephew, has positioned himself as a steadfast loyalist during the political turbulence of 2022. His influence in Vandre East is notable, largely stemming from the enduring loyalty of the Shiv Sena’s traditional voter base, which remains a significant force in this constituency.

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