Parliamentary Standing Committee to hold meeting on Uniform Civil Code to seek views of stakeholders

Today, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice will convene a meeting to discuss the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The committee, headed by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Modi, aims to gather the perspectives of stakeholders on this issue. Mr. Modi emphasized that the meeting is non-political, as the panel comprises members from all political parties.

The UCC proposes the development and implementation of personal laws that are applicable to all citizens irrespective of their religion, sex, gender, or sexual orientation. Currently, personal laws governing various communities are based on their respective religious scriptures.

On the 14th of last month, the Law Commission of India invited the opinions and ideas of the public and recognized religious organizations to assess the UCC. The public can submit their views on this matter until the 14th of this month. Union Minister Piyush Goyal expressed confidence that many political parties will support the BJP on the issue of the Uniform Civil Code. Mr. Goyal referred to previous Supreme Court judgments that endorsed the idea of implementing a UCC. He also accused the Congress party of prioritizing appeasement politics and fostering societal divisions prior to 2014.

The Uniform Civil Code is discussed under Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, which states that the state shall strive to establish a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens across India. The objective of Article 44, enshrined in the Directive Principles of State Policy, is to address discrimination against vulnerable groups and promote harmony among diverse cultural groups throughout the country. The Code aims to formulate a single law applicable to all religious communities concerning matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption, thereby replacing the current system where personal laws are guided by religious scriptures.