Kerala (VSK). E.P. Jayarajan, Convener of the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and senior CPM leader did not attend the CPM-sponsored seminar, held in Kozhikode, on July 15, regarding Uniform Civil Code. He had an excellent excuse – He had to hand over the key to the beneficiary of a newly constructed house, in Thiruvananthapuram, sponsored by DYFI, the youth wing of CPM. Even otherwise EPJ has been keeping aloof from party activities since M.V. Govindan took over as party state secretary. He was seen keeping away during Janakiya Prathirodha Yatra, the Kerala March Govindan carried out from north end to south end of the state.
Govindan told the media that EPJ is a senior leader. He does not need a special invitation to attend the anti-UCC seminar. Central Committee members and Polit Bureau (PB) members should participate in the seminar. There is no need to invite the LDF convener separately. Party decision is applicable to all. He reportedly said – “This seminar is the first program organized by CPM on Uniform Civil Code. This is not the program of LDF. Jayarajan’s name was not on the notice. CPM will organise programmes and seminars in all districts where CPM leaders including EPJ will participate. Jayarajan himself should be asked why he did not attend the Kozhikode seminar”.
EPJ has been seen unhappy since Govindan’s elevation, which appears to be the blessing of CM Pinarayi Vijayan. Observers had expected that EPJ was going to be the natural successor of late state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. But, Govindan got the covetable chair and promoted to PB.
EPJ has been in an unenvious position in the party since allegations came up against him in the party committee in connection with Vaideham Ayurveda Resorts in Kannur district with his wife and son allegedly having major shares. There were reports that another senior CPM leader P. Jayarajan raised the allegations. Both Jayarajans belong to the same Kannur district. There were reports those days, PJ had the support of Govindan, again from the same district.
CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury inaugurated the seminar. Yechury, as everybody guessed, said that UCC is for polarisation intended to win elections. He opined that if disparities prevail in any community, initiatives for reforms should come up from the same (community).
Meanwhile, national council of Communist Party of India (CPI), the second largest constituent of LDF, discussed UCC in Delhi. Even though party has got its own suspicions about ‘BJP’s intention behind UCC’, they opt to wait for the draft of it. But hasty reaction would boomerang. Council is reported to have resolved that some Left parties show over enthusiasm, an obvious reference to CPM-sponsored seminars in Kerala.
Even though Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) refused to participate in the CPM seminar, some other Muslim outfits, most of them with extremist views, participated in it. Some Christian groups and couple of Hindu community organisations also joined. These community organisations are known for their anti-BJP and anti-RSS stands.
But no woman was seen on the dais as speaker.
According to reports, the first criticism from the Muslim women in Kerala came from Dr. Khadija Mumtaz. Left sympathiser, former Medical College Professor and author Dr. Mumtaz has come down heavily on the absence of Muslim women in the seminar on the Uniform Civil Code organised by CPM in Kozhikode. She is the Chairperson of the Muslim Women Gender Justice Forum. She wondered if Muslim women were denied a chance to speak because CPM was afraid of religious leaders. She said that Muslim women should have been given chance to speak. Because when Narendra Modi says that the UCC is imperative, he cites the plight of Muslim women. So, naturally, the version of the Muslim women should be heard. Dr. Mumtaz said, the responsibility of the political parties and women’s organisations was not to say a blanket ‘NO’ to the UCC. “Instead, they should project reforms in personal laws as an alternative. They should persuade the religious leadership for the reforms,” she said.
Dr. Mumtaz added, she raised the issue in the meeting of the organising committee for the seminar. She says, this line should be upheld, but it didn’t get due recognition. She had this different opinion even while opposing the UCC. She confirmed, she was invited to the seminar. But she knew that her version, if she speaks, would not get due consideration (hence decided to keep away). Dr. Mumtaz said, that there are women leaders like P.K. Sainaba and Kanathil Jameela who could raise the issue. They maintain the same policy as she does. But\ she thinks that CPM was afraid of the wrath of the religious and political leadership if those ladies were invited to speak. She underlined that there was representation for tribal groups and Christian community in the seminar, but Muslim women were absent. The issue of reforms in the personal laws should be discussed simultaneously while opposing the UCC”.
In short, Dr. Mumdaz was saying, between the lines, that Muslim women need reforms. She is not for a ‘blanket NO’ to UCC. No doubt, she represents the elite Muslim women and also average Muslim woman.
Interestingly, some Muslim leaders had objected to the demand for reforming the Muslim personal law at the seminar itself. Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM)-Markazudawa general secretary C.P. Umar Sullami said, in his speech, that equality for women is not practical. Sullami said no political parties have ensured equality in their committees.
In a nutshell, CPM’s must flaunted seminar has turned a futile pilgrimage.