22nd Law Commission seeks views on UCC from public, religious organisations

The commission has set a limit of 30 days to submit views on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for all stakeholders

The 22nd Law Commission of India on Wednesday sought views from public and religious organisations about the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The commission is inter alia examining the UCC, a reference sent by the Ministry of Law & Justice, according to the press release.

Earlier, the 21st Law Commission had examined the subject of UCC and solicited the views of all the stakeholders through its appeal along with a questionnaire in 2016 and made further public appeals in 2018.

A consultation paper was released by the Law Commission on "Reform of Family" in 2018, in which the commission had said that formulation of UCC was "neither necesasry nor desirable at this stage".

But, since more than three years have passed, the 22nd Law Commission decided to make fresh appeals to seek public views on the subject of the UCC in the country.

"The 21st Law Commission has issued the consultation paper on “Reforms of Family Law” on 31.08.2018. Since more than three years have been lapsed from the date of issuance of the said Consultation Paper, bearing in mind the relevance and importance of the subject and also the various Court orders on the subject, the 22nd Law Commission of India considered it expedient to deliberate afresh over the subject."

Accordingly, the 22nd Law Commission of India decided again to solicit the views and ideas of the public at large and recognised religious organizations about the Uniform Civil Code, the press statement said. The commission has set a limit of 30 days to submit views for all stakeholders.

 "Those who are interested and willing may present their views within a period of 30 days from the date of Notice through “click here” button or by Email at membersecretary-lci[at]gov[dot]in to the Law Commission of India."

The 22nd law panel was initially constituted for a period of three years on February 21, 2020, and its chairperson, Justice Rituraj Awasthi (retd), took charge on November 9, 2022. However, the Union Cabinet extended its term by one-and-a-half years till August 2024.

The Law Commission is mandated to identify redundant laws and recommend for their repeal. According to an official release, the term of the panel has been extended up to August 31, 2024.

The Law Commission may also suggest new legislations as may be necessary to implement the Directive Principles and to attain the objectives set out in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.

Article 44 under the Directive Principles of the Indian Constitution says "The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India".

The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body, constituted by the Centre from time to time.