Page 6 - Uniform Civil Code

Over 750,000 HUFs claimed Rs 3,803 cr tax deductions in 2022-23: FinMin

Over 8.75 lakh Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) have filed income tax returns (ITRs) and claimed deductions worth Rs 3,803 crore during 2022-23, the Finance Ministry said on Tuesday. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary in a reply to the Rajya Sabha provided details of the number of Hindu Undivided Families (HUF) availing tax benefits (in the form of deduction under Chapter VIA of the Income-tax Act) during the last five years. To a question on whether the government has assessed the impact of the Uniform Civil Code on tax benefits to HUFs in the country, the minister said: "No such assessment has been made as there is no such Code at present". Currently, a debate is going on about the status of the HUFs, following the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code on which the Law Commission has invited comments from the public. Under Hindu Law, a HUF is a family comprising all lineally descendants of a common ancestor, including wives and unmarried daughters. This provision al

Fresh consultations on UCC needed due to importance, court orders

The government on Thursday said the Law Commission initiated fresh consultations on the issue of uniform civil code due to the "relevance and importance" of the subject and various court orders on the matter. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the 21st Law Commission had issued a consultation paper on "Reform of Family Law" on August 31, 2018. However, it had not submitted a report on the subject, he noted. "Since more than four years have lapsed from the date of issuance of the said consultation paper, the 22nd Law Commission (the present panel) decided to solicit views and ideas of the public at large and religious organisations on June 14, 2023, bearing in mind the relevance and importance of the subject matter and also various court orders on the subject of uniform civil code," he said. Responding to another question on modalities of the UCC, Meghwal said since the law panel is in process of holding consultations at this stage, "the question

Left, Congress instilling fear among minorities on UCC: Chandrasekhar

UCC is a common set of laws dealing with marriage, inheritance adoption and other matters and not based on religion

UCC a political tool BJP is using to sharpen communal polarisation: Yechury

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a political tool being used by the BJP to sharpen communal polarisation, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Saturday. Uniformity does not mean equality, he stressed, while addressing a massive gathering attending a national seminar to discuss the UCC organised by the Left party here. Yechury said laws that are discriminatory have to be corrected in consultation with the entire community and not by imposing UCC from the top. "Uniformity does not mean equality. The CPI(M) stands for equality like the Constitution of India stands for equality. And it's that equality that we need to fight for...that everyone of us is first a human being and then everything else follows," Yechury said. The CPI(M) leader pointed out that the 21st Law Commission, appointed by the Modi government, had made it clear that the UCC was "neither necessary nor desirable at this stage". Yechury said any effort to impose uniformity will tear our social fabric. "UCC i

Congress holds closed-door meeting on implementation of Uniform Civil Code

Article 44 of the Constitution of India says that the state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) throughout the territory of India

Law Commission extends deadline for submitting views on UCC till July 28

The Law Commission on Friday extended the deadline for the public to send their views on a uniform civil code (UCC) till July 28. On June 14, the law panel had sought responses from organisations and the public on the UCC. The one-month deadline for filing responses ended on Friday, following which it was extended. "In view of the overwhelming response from the public on the subject of Uniform Civil Code and numerous requests received from various quarters regarding the extension of time for submitting their comments, the Law Commission has decided to grant an extension of two weeks for the submission of views and suggestions by the concerned stakeholders," the Law Commission said in a public notice. Any interested individual, institution or organisation may furnish comments on the UCC till July 28 on the commission's website, it said.

As deadline nears, Law Commission gets 4.6 million responses on UCC

As the deadline to send views on the Uniform Civil Code ends in two days, the Law Commission has so far received nearly 46 lakh responses, sources said on Tuesday. The Commission is also likely to call certain organisations and people for a personal hearing in the coming days. Some of these invitation letters have already been sent, they said. Till Monday evening, the panel had received nearly 46 lakh responses. On June 14, the Law Commission initiated a fresh consultation process on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) by seeking views from stakeholders, including public and recognised religious organisations, on the politically sensitive issue. Earlier, the 21st Law Commission, the term of which ended in August 2018, examined the issue and solicited the views of all stakeholders on two occasions. Subsequently, a consultation paper on "Reforms of Family Law" was issued in August 2018. "Since more than three years have lapsed from the date of issuance of the said consultation paper, bear

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RSS body welcomes parl panel's suggestion to keep tribals out of UCC

The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram on Sunday welcomed the suggestion of a parliamentary committee chairman Sushil Modi to keep tribals out of the purview of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). In a statement, the organisation also asked the Law Commission not to submit its report in haste, urging it to first understand the customary practices and traditions of the tribal communities from their prominent members and organisations. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) body urged the members of the scheduled tribes and their organisations to submit their views to the Law Commission if they have any concerns with regard to the proposed UCC, instead of being "misled" by discussions on the social media on the issue. BJP MP Sushil Modi, chairman of a parliamentary panel on Law, recently advocated keeping tribals, including those in the Northeast, out of the purview of any likely UCC at a meeting while some opposition members questioned the Law Commission's timing of the move

Uniform Civil Code: Lack of clarity on provisions unifies stakeholders

unified IN DIVERSITY: Centre's proposal to enact a Uniform Civil Code has sent many social groups into a tizzy. ADITI PHADNIS speaks to many about their fears

CPI(M) excluding Cong from seminar on UCC aimed at creating conflict: IUML

Key Congress ally in Kerala, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Sunday rejected the ruling CPI(M)'s overtures to take part in its seminars on the hotly debated Uniform Civil Code (UCC), claiming that the Left party was trying to create "conflict" and "division" by not inviting the grand old party. The IUML said it was implied from the CPI(M)'s invite that it had "no good intentions" and there was no need for a seminar which divides people -- a response that comes as a blow to the Left party which was optimistic of seeing the League take part in its first seminar to be held on July 15 in Kozhikode district of the state. Throwing its weight behind the Congress, the League said without the grand old party's leadership and support, it would not be possible for anyone to fight against the UCC at the national level as it was an issue concerning everyone in India and not just the Muslims. The IUML announced its decision after a meeting of the party leadership at Panakkad here followi

BJP-led govt bowled UCC 'googly' to divert attention from issues: Pilot

Amid a raging debate over a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Congress leader Sachin Pilot has said the talk about it is just "kite-flying" as there is no concrete proposal and alleged that the BJP-led Centre has bowled this "googly" to divert attention from the real issues concerning people. In an interview with PTI, Pilot said there is nothing on a UCC in the standing committees or Parliament and the talk is just based on a "rhetorical political speech". The former Union minister said there is no concrete proposal on a UCC and it is just being used by the BJP-led Centre as a "political tool". The 22nd Law Commission had, on June 14, initiated a fresh consultation process on a UCC by seeking views from the stakeholders, including members of the public and recognised religious organisations, on the politically-sensitive issue. Addressing a gathering of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Bhopal last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for a UCC, saying the Constitut

BJP ally NPP to oppose implementation of Uniform Civil Code in Arunachal

The Arunachal Pradesh unit of the National People's Party (NPP) has decided to oppose the immediate implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the northeastern state. The decision was taken at the state executive meeting of the party here on Saturday, NPP state general secretary Paknga Bage said. NPP state working president Likha Saaya told reporters, "Though NPP is in alliance with the BJP on developmental issues, but the regional party follows its own ideology". The party unanimously adopted a resolution at the meeting opposing the UCC, citing the state's diverse multi-ethnic and multi-tribal composition, as well as its strong customary and traditional identity, Bage said. Elaborating the reason as to why NPP is opposing UCC, Bage said since Arunachal Pradesh has its own unique laws, the NPP has unanimously adopted a resolution to go with the customary laws with certain modifications. "The state and the central governments should focus on codifying the existing customary

Implementing UCC not easy like revoking Article 370: Ghulam Nabi Azad

Former Union minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday cautioned the Centre over implementing a uniform civil code, saying it will affect all religions. Talking to reporters here, he also said that implementing UCC will not be "easy as it was to revoke Article 370". "There is no question (of implementing it). It is not easy as it was to revoke Article 370. All religions are involved in it. Not only Muslims, but Christians and Sikhs also, tribals, Jains, Parsis, annoying all these people at once, will not be good for any government," the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party said. "So, I suggest this government to not even think about taking this step," he said.

UCC draft report expected to be submitted to Uttarakhand govt by July 15.

According to sources, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that a special Vidhan Sabha session may also be convened on the UCC, if necessary

National Sikh conclave in Delhi forms panel to discuss UCC with govt

A national Sikh conclave held here on Friday formed an 11-member committee to confer with the government on the Uniform Civil Code to ensure the community's rights and practices are not tinkered with, DSGMC office-bearers said. Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President Harmit Singh Kalka said the draft of the UCC is yet to be released by the Central government so "there could not be a decision whether to support or oppose it." A DSGMC statement quoted Kalka as saying that the conclave decided that it was wrong to oppose UCC without seeing the draft document. An 11-member committee has been formed to hold discussions with the Union government to ensure that the rights and religious practices of the Sikhs are not tinkered with, Kalka told a press conference after the conclave at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib. After a draft of UCC is put in the public domain, the committee will study it and compile the demands and objections of the Sikhs. A delegation led by DSGMC will th

Law panel cautions against fraudulent messages, calls in its name over UCC

The Law Commission on Friday cautioned people against fraudulent WhatsApp messages and calls in its name pertaining to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). It urged people to "exercise caution" and rely on official sources, including its website, for accurate information. In its disclaimer, the law panel referred to "certain WhatsApp texts, calls, and messages" being circulated pertaining to the UCC. "It has come to notice that certain phone numbers are rotating among the individuals, falsely associating them with the Law Commission of India. It is clarified that the Law Commission has no involvement or connection with these texts, calls, or messages, and disclaims any responsibility or endorsement thereof," it said. The Law Commission said it communicates through official channels, including its website and the Press Information Bureau. "Individuals are encouraged to visit the official website of the Law Commission of India to access the public notice (seeking views on UCC) issued in th

Tamil Nadu CM accuses Centre, says govt using UCC to target non-BJP states

'They (BJP-led NDA at the Centre) want to impose the UCC and use it against the non-BJP states. Those opposing it are being threatened with CBI, ED, and IT raids'

Process on, wait for its outcome: BJP on Uniform Civil Code implementation

The BJP on Thursday said a process on the issue of adopting a Uniform Civil Code is underway and people should wait for its outcome, as it side-stepped a query on whether the measure will be implemented soon. BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad noted at a press conference that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has been a part of the ruling party's manifesto. "A process is on. You should wait for its outcome," he said in reply to a question. The UCC has hogged the limelight after the Law Commission sought people's views on the contentious issue through a public notice on June 13. Prime Minister Narendra Modi later made a strong push for the country having one civil code. Some groups, including those representing sections of Muslims and tribals, have opposed the UCC while most opposition parties have linked the BJP's push for it to the upcoming polls, including the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. The UCC is one of the foundational planks of the BJP. At the presser, Pra

Opposed to UCC as it's against religious freedom: Jamiat to Law Commission

Prominent Muslim body Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has conveyed to the Law Commission that it is opposed to a uniform civil code as it is "against the religious freedom" guaranteed under the Constitution, and said the government should take leaders of all religions and tribal groups into confidence on the matter. In a statement on Thursday, the Jamiat shared a summary of the objections that were sent by it to the 22nd Law Commission on Wednesday in which the Muslim organisation said that it considers starting of the debate on UCC a part of a "political conspiracy". In a letter to the Law Commission, Jamiat president Maulana Arshad Madani said that this issue is not just related to Muslims but to all Indians. "It has been our position since the beginning that we have been practising our religion freely in this country...we will not compromise on our religious affairs and method of worship in any way, and we will take all possible measures to protect our religious rights within the scope of th