The army in Kashmir seems to have taken on the mantle of preparing the ground for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code.

The army has purportedly sent out invitations for participation in a seminar on “Navigating Legal Frontiers: Understanding Indian Penal Code 2023 & the Quest for Uniform Civil Code” scheduled on March 26 at the Kashmir University Auditorium.

Following an outcry, the army said the seminar organised by a lawyers’ association called Kashmir Jurist was cancelled “due to implementation of Model Code of Conduct”. It is unclear why the army cancelled the seminar organised by a lawyers’ organisation. The army “invitation” nowhere mentions Kashmir Jurist as the organiser although its office-bearers are listed as the speakers.

Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah flagged the issue by sharing the purported invitation by Major General P.B.S. Lamba, general officer commanding of Valley-based 31 Sub Area headquarters, for the “legal awareness seminar”.

“Is it appropriate for the Indian Army to get involved in the divisive issue of the uniform civil code & that too in a sensitive area like Kashmir? There is a reason the Indian Army has remained apolitical & areligious. This ill-advised UCC seminar is a threat to both these basic tenets,” Omar posted on X. “Going ahead with this risks opening up the army to charges of getting involved in the murky world of politics coupled with interfering in religious matters.”

The NC sought the Election Commission’s intervention and asked it to assess the appropriateness of the army discussing an issue that figured in the BJP’s manifesto.

Altaf Ganderbali, president of Kashmir Jurist, said his organisation was behind the seminar. “The invitation by the army was the result of some misprint,” he said.