NCP MLA faces backlash over alleged support for polygamy, Pakistan laws in India

A viral video circulating on social media has claimed that NCP (Ajit Pawar) MLA Sana Malik supported polygamy and advocated implementing Pakistani laws in India, triggering widespread debate and prompting a strong response from Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam.

Clarifying her remarks, Malik said her statements during the Maharashtra Assembly debate on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) had been misunderstood. She said her objections were limited to repeated references to Pakistan during a discussion on women's safety and triple talaq.

Malik said the debate should focus on atrocities against women and that such issues should not be directly linked to any religion or community. She added that a question had been raised about whether Pakistan had enacted any law and why Pakistan's example was being cited during the discussion.

She said she had specifically argued that lawmakers should discuss the law itself instead of bringing Pakistan into the debate. According to Malik, Indian Muslims follow the Indian Constitution, which guarantees them the right to practice, profess and propagate their religion. She said comparisons with Pakistan were unacceptable and objected to repeated references to the neighbouring country.

Addressing the controversy over polygamy, Malik said Islamic Personal Law permits the practice under strict regulations but added that polygamy exists across different religions. She argued that laws protecting women's rights should be fair and apply across communities instead of targeting a particular religion or invoking foreign laws.

Responding to Malik's remarks, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam said laws in India are not framed based on any religious scriptures or holy books. He asserted that the legislature's responsibility is to ensure justice for every section of society and eliminate unfair practices.

Kadam said the laws enacted by the state and central governments are aimed solely at delivering justice and maintained that linking India's legal framework to religion is entirely wrong.

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