Muslim groups oppose AIMPLB’s Save Shariat campaign

More than 90 progressive Muslim activists, intellectuals and women's rights advocates have signed a statement opposing the All India Muslim Personal Law Board's (AIMPLB) nationwide 'Save India, Save Shariat' campaign. The signatories include Naseeruddin Shah, Amol Palekar, Ratna Pathak, Mallika Sarabhai, Teesta Setalvad, and Tushar Gandhi, along with groups such as Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD) and Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA).

The statement, reported by Freepress Journal, Times of India and ThePrint, describes the AIMPLB campaign as 'ill-conceived' and argues that the so-called God-given Shariat law in India is actually man-made personal laws shaped by patriarchal interpretations and colonial-era legislation. The groups accuse the AIMPLB of selectively invoking Articles 25-30 on religious freedom while ignoring constitutional guarantees of equality under Articles 14 and 15.

The groups call for gender-just reforms in Muslim personal laws including equal rights in marriage, divorce, inheritance, custody and adoption, citing reforms in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tunisia and Morocco. The AIMPLB, however, defends its campaign by citing Article 25 of the Constitution which allows freedom of religion, stating that Sharia laws are sought only in personal matters. The board is preparing a charter for its campaign, while opposing groups plan meetings in four cities including Mumbai to counter it.