Shariat Bill steered through Assembly

Beig stressed the need for setting up a committee to consolidate the customary laws with Shariat across the state so that a more comprehensive Bill could be framed.

Beig said the Bill could give rise to many legal problems. He said inter-religion marriages between Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs could be declared void and their children illegitimate, affecting right to inheritance. He said it could disrupt many families.

Reacting to PDP MLA Javed Mustafa Mir8217;s point that Shariat cannot be modified, Beig said if one follows pure Shariat, then 8216;8216;We have to cut off the hands of people who steal8217;8217;. He said Islam allows local customs to be accommodated in certain cases.

Objecting to points raised by Beig, Rather said, 8216;8216;I want to make it clear that Shariat applies only to civil issues and not criminal issues here.8217;8217; He said people were using customary laws and Muslim Personal Law in the state as per convenience complicating many court cases.

The Bill introduced by Rather in last year8217;s budget session was subsequently sent to a select committee for recommendations and suggestions.