Ahead of the Gujarat elections, the BJP government in the state is considering implementing the Uniform Civil Code or UCC in the state.
Taking a cue from the Uttarakhand government, the Bhupendra Patel-led government in Gujarat is mulling moving a proposal to constitute a panel under a retired High Court judge, to evaluate all aspects of implementing the UCC, sources said
The BJP-led Uttarakhand government in May this year set up a committee of experts headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to talk to all stakeholders and prepare a draft of a Uniform Civil Code.
The Centre had earlier filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court pushing for the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in the country saying that different religions cannot follow different rules adding the power to make laws is exclusive to the legislature.
The UCC provides for the formulation of one law applicable to all religions in matters related to marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption. Article 44, which is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy of the Indian Constitution, says: “The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.”
BJP states’ UCC push
Besides Uttarakhand and Gujarat, several other BJP-rules states, including Uttar Pradesh and Assam, have pushed for the implementation of the UCC.
In April, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya had said that the Yogi government is planning to implement the UCC in the state.
“One law for all in one country is the need of the hour. It is required that we should get out of the system of one law for one person and another for others. We are in favour of a common civil code,” Maurya said.
In May, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma strongly pitched for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, saying it should be brought for the greater interest of our Muslim women”.
“If Uniform Civil Code doesn’t get implemented, polygamy system will continue; a man will marry three to four times, curtailing the fundamental rights of a woman. Uniform Civil Code should be implemented for the greater interest of our Muslim women,” he said.
Earlier, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur also said that the BJP-led state government is examining the concept of the UCC and is open to implement it. The Chief Minister, however, said that they will not take the decision in haste and will examine its outcomes and then go ahead.
