Gowda lays thrust on debate before implementation of Uniform Civil Code

Responding to the implications of implementing the Uniform Civil Code across the country, Union Law and Justice Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda on Sunday said a wide range of debate and consultations are required for it, adding the government wants to study this sensitive matter in detail.

"We want to study the matter in detail because it is a very sensitive issue. Wide range of debates and consultations are required. A step has been taken forward to get a report. I can comment only after getting the report," Gowda told ANI.

He stated that Article 44 of the Constitution says that there should be a uniform civil code and the Supreme Court has several times observed that it is the responsibility of the government to take ahead these things.

"Several times in the Parliament either in the Lok Sabha or in the Rajya Sabha, I used to get repeated questions with regard to common civil code. It is even in the agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party, especially in the manifesto, we have mentioned it time and again," he added.

The Union Law Ministry has asked the Law Commission to examine in detail all issues pertaining to the Uniform Civil Code and submit a report to the government.

The code, if implemented, would mean a set of common civil laws for all citizens in place of multitude of personal laws for different religious groups.

This move by the Centre assumes significance as the Supreme Court had recently said that it would prefer to have a wider debate in public as well as in court before taking a decision on the constitutional validity of 'triple talaq'.

Under the Directive Principles of the State Policy in the Constitution, Article 44 says: "The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India.