Law Minister says he believes not in unity in diversity

Law Minister says he believes not in unity in diversity
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

Chennai, July 2: Union Minister for Law and Justice Ram Jethmalani allayed the fears of the minorities by declaring that unless the minorities themselves demanded it, the Uniform Civil Code will not be imposed on them.

Speaking at the exposition of `Constitutional review' organised by `The Exposures' here on Saturday, he said, ``I am opposed to the Uniform Civil Code.'' Pointing out the differences among religions, he said he believed not in unity in diversity but unity that came out of diversity.

The Review Committee had looked into ten areas so far, including Centre-State relations, enlargement of fundamental rights, freedom of media and decentralisation of powers.

Referring to the fears expressed regarding review of the Constitution, the Union Minister drew a distinction between amending the Constitution and reviewing it. He said the Congress' opposition was based on the fear that there was a move to bar its president Sonia Gandhi from holding any high office. He said this could be effected by making a simple amendment to the Citizenship Act.

As for the charges that there was a secret agenda behind the move, the Minister said the terms of reference clearly stated that the basic structure of the Constitution would not be changed. The basic structure constituted 95 per cent of the Constitution and what the Committee would look into now was the ``nuts and bolts, the remaining 5 per cent of the Constitution'. Moreover, any amendment bill had to be passed by two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament, he said.

MP Cho Ramasamy said that although he felt that the Constitution had to be reviewed this was not the opportune moment to do it. Considering the calibre of most of the MPs, he wondered if it was a judicious move.

A Rangachari, former budget advisor, IMF, said the Committee must look into laying down a sound fiscal policy.

B S Raghavan, former director, political and security planning, Home Ministry, said the focus should be on setting right the political infrastructure. R Karuppan, president, Madras Advocates Association, wanted the retirement age for HC judges to also be increased to 65 years. At present it is 62 years.