Page 9 - Uniform Civil Code

Law Commission has received 850,000 responses so far on UCC: Chairman

Amid a raging debate over the issue of Uniform Civil Code, Law Commission Chairman Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi on Wednesday said the panel has received 8.5 lakh responses within just two weeks of initiating a public consultation process on the matter. The Law Commission had on June 14 invited views from all stakeholders, including people and recognised religious organisations, on the politically sensitive issue. "The responses we have received till yesterday are approximately 8.5 lakh," Awasthi told PTI. A uniform civil code (UCC) typically means having a common law for all citizens of the country that is not based on religion. Personal laws and laws related to inheritance, adoption and succession are likely to be covered by a common code. Implementation of a UCC has been part of BJP election manifestos. Uttarakhand is already in the process of framing its common code. The BJP had promised a uniform civil code in Karnataka ahead of the recent assembly elections. On Tuesday, Prime ...

UCC will have adverse impact on minority, tribal communities: Akali Dal

The Shiromani Akali Dal Wednesday said the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) throughout the country would have an adverse impact on the minority and tribal communities. The opposition party in Punjab also slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for extending its "in-principle" support to the UCC, saying the nod has exposed its "anti-minority face." In a statement here, senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said Akali Dal has always opposed the Uniform Civil Code for the entire country and it would submit its reservations on the issue to the 22nd Law Commission as well as in Parliament. He said the party believed that civil laws in the country were influenced by faith, belief, caste and customs and were different for different religions. "These should be retained in the interest of safeguarding the social fabric as well as the concept of unity in diversity," said Cheema. The SAD's remarks came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushed for the implementation of the UCC at

AAP extends 'in-principle' support to UCC, wants govt to hold consultations

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday extended its "in-principle support" to a Uniform Civil Code but said it should be brought in with a consensus after extensive consultations with stakeholders. The government should hold extensive consultations on the proposal with all stakeholders, including political parties and non-political entities, AAP national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak said. "The AAP supports UCC in principle. Article 44 (of the Constitution) also supports it," Pathak told PTI. But the government should bring in UCC only when there is a consensus among the stakeholders, he said. "We believe that on such issues we should go ahead with consensus. We believe that this (UCC) should be implemented only after there is a consensus among all the stakeholders," Pathak said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Tuesday made a strong push for a Uniform Civil Code, asking how can the country function with dual laws that govern personal matters.

Does Congress stand with UCC or 'communal conspiracy' against it: Naqvi

BJP leader and former Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi took a swipe at opposition parties on Wednesday and said the time has come to make the Uniform Civil Code free of these "communal crafters" as it is not for any particular community but for the entire society. Talking to reporters, he said the Congress should clarify whether it stands with the constitutional commitment to the UCC or is a part of "communal conspiracy" against its implementation. Naqvi said from the constituent assembly to Parliament, from the streets to civil society and the Supreme Court, the demand and need for the UCC was raised on several occasions. However, "communal confusion" created over it hijacked the constitutional commitment and instead of becoming a part of the Constitution, the UCC remained a part of its directive principles, he added. He said with the fresh commencement of much needed national debate on the UCC, "political vendors of communal votes" have again started their prejudiced propaganda

AIMPLB members huddle to finalise draft opposing UCC to submit to law panel

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) got into a huddle to build its case against a Uniform Civil Code, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for a common law for all communities. The Board held a meeting Tuesday night through video conferencing in which the draft document to be submitted to the Commission was discussed, according to AIMPLB member Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli. Addressing a gathering of BJP workers in Bhopal on Tuesday, Modi called for implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and said the Constitution also mentions about giving equal rights to all citizens. He also said that the BJP has decided it would not adopt the path of appeasement and vote bank politics, and alleged that the Opposition was using the issue of UCC to mislead and provoke the Muslim community. Talking to PTI on Wednesday, Mahli, however, said the AIMPLB meeting was a routine one and that it should not be linked to the the prime minister's statement on UCC.

UCC can't be forced by agenda-driven majoritarian govt: Chidambaram

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Congress leader P Chidambaram said it cannot be forced on people by an "agenda-driven majoritarian government" as it will "widen divisions" among people. The former Union minister claimed the prime minister was batting for UCC to divert people's attention from issues of unemployment, price rise and hate crimes. He also alleged the BJP was using UCC to polarise the society. "The Hon'ble PM is making it appear that UCC is a simple exercise. He should read the report of the last Law Commission that pointed out it was not feasible at this time "The nation is divided today owing to the words and deeds of the BJP. A UCC imposed on the people will only widen the divisions," Chidambaram said. Noting that a Uniform Civil Code is an aspiration, the senior Congress leader said, "It cannot be forced on the people by an agenda-driven majoritarian government." "The Hon'ble PM's strong pitch for UCC is .

How can India have two laws? PM Modi's pitch for Uniform Civil Code

Modi urged party workers to reach out to Pasmanda Muslims with facts and arguments to convince them that all, including Muslims, had access to his government's welfare schemes

What will happen to tribal culture if UCC is implemented? asks Bhagel

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday reacted sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support for enactment of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and asked what will happen to culture and traditions of tribals if such a law is implemented. Modi, addressing a gathering of BJP workers in Bhopal in adjoining Madhya Pradesh, made a strong pitch for implementation of the UCC and said the Constitution also mentions about giving equal rights to all citizens. Asked about PM's remarks, Baghel said, Why do you (BJP) always think from Hindu-Muslim point of view? In Chhattisgarh, we have tribal people. What will happen to their beliefs and orthodox rules through which they govern their society? If the UCC is implemented then what will happen to their tradition?" The Congress leader said there are also several other caste groups which have their own rules. Our nation is like a beautiful bouquet with people believing in different religions, speaking different languages, following ...

Don't make such issues part of 'dog-whistle politics': RJD attacks PM Modi

The RJD on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks in Madhya Pradesh on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), saying he should not make such issues an instrument of "dog-whistle politics". The attack by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha came after Prime Minister Modi said that even the Supreme Court has advocated for having the UCC, but those practising vote bank politics are opposing it. Addressing BJP workers in Bhopal on Tuesday under the party's 'Mera Booth Sabse Majboot' campaign, Modi, while talking of the UCC, said Indian Muslims have to understand which political parties are taking advantage of them by provoking them. "We are seeing that work is being done to instigate such people in the name of Uniform Civil Code. If there is one law for one member in a house and another for the other, will the house be able to run? So how will the country be able to run with such a dual system?" he said. Reacting to the prime minister's ..

Country can't run on two different laws, says PM Modi on Uniform Civil Code

PM Modi said that the Indian Muslims need to understand which political parties were provoking and destroying them for their own benefit

UCC against religious freedom, will oppose it under legal ambit: Jamiat

Prominent Muslim organisation Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on Monday claimed that the Uniform Civil Code is against the religious freedom guaranteed under the the Constitution but said it will not take to the streets to protest against it and instead would oppose it by taking all possible steps within the ambit of law. The statement by the Muslim organisation comes days after 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. In a statement, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind said it opposes the UCC as it is "totally against the religious freedom and fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens in Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution." "Our Constitution is a secular Constitution, in which every citizen has been given full religious freedom, and every person has been also given the right to choose the religion of his choice, because ..

All states in country should implement Uniform Civil Code: U'khand CM Dhami

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said that all the states in the country should implement Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

UCC for all welcome but will it adversely impact Hindus? asks Uddhav

Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said the Uniform Civil Code for all citizens is welcome but wondered if its implementation would affect Hindus adversely. Thackeray also took potshots at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the state-level plenary of Shiv Sena (UBT) office-bearers held here, the first since the split in Shiv Sena last year. "We welcome the Uniform Civil Code for all but would it adversely affect Hindus? If they (BJP) could not implement the ban on cow slaughter in the entire country, how can the UCC be implemented?" he asked. The Law Commission recently said it has decided to look at the need for a UCC afresh and seek the views of stakeholders, which include the members of the public and religious organisations.

Uniform Civil Code: Third prong in BJP's three-point core agenda

The new effort by the 22nd Law Commission will look at personal laws relating to marriage, divorce, maintenance, custody and guardianship of children, inheritance and succession, and adoption

UCC is fake issue, BJP rakes it up during elections: Cong leader Modhwadia

Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia on Thursday termed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) a fake issue and said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raises it whenever there are elections. The Law Commission on Wednesday initiated a fresh consultation process on the UCC by seeking views from stakeholders including public and recognised religious organisations. They (BJP) raise this issue during Assembly elections in a state, it is a fake issue. This issue will not bring about any changes in people's lives, Modhwadia, a leader from Gujarat, told reporters here. Asked about his and his party's stand on the UCC, he said it was a national-level issue and he was only a leader in a state.

Uniform Civil Code: What is it and what are the arguments against it?

The Uniform Civil Code has been at the centre of politics for the past many years. While the BJP has been backing the code, some Muslim organisations have raised objections

Cong slams govt over UCC, says attempt to seek opinion shows desperation

The Congress on Thursday said the Law Commission's latest attempt to seek fresh public opinion on a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) represents the Narendra Modi government's desperation for continuing with its agenda of polarisation and diversion from its failures. In a statement, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said it is strange that the Law Commission is seeking a fresh reference when it acknowledges that its predecessor, the 21st Law Commission, had published a consultation paper on the subject in August 2018. Ramesh said no reasons have been given by the Law Commission on why the subject is being revisited except for vague references to "the relevance and importance of the subject and also, various court orders". "The real reason is that the 21st Law Commission after carrying out a detailed and comprehensive review of the subject observed that it is 'neither necessary nor desirable at this stage' to have a Uniform Civil Code. "This latest attempt represents

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

Framing UCC for U'khand will strengthen social fabric, says ex-SC judge

The uniform civil code being drafted by a committee of experts for Uttarakhand will strengthen the social fabric, promote gender equality and help fight economic, social and religious inequalities, retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, who heads the panel, said on Wednesday. We are trying to make such a draft which is liked by everyone, people of every religion, Desai told reporters at an event organised here to seek suggestions on the proposed UCC from people of the hill state who live in the national capital. Desai heads the committee of experts set up by the Uttarakhand government in March 2022 for drafting the Uniform Civil Code, an election promise made by the BJP in the state. She said the committee will make recommendations for bringing a uniform civil code for a range of issues including marriage, divorce succession, guardianship, custody and inheritance with a primary focus on safeguarding the interests of women, children and the differently-abled. We are ...

Law Commission considering to work on UCC issue: Ex-Justice Ranjana Desai

The Law Commission is considering to work on the issue of Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Justice (retired) Ranjana Prakash Desai said after a meeting with its chairperson and members here on Friday. Desai heads a committee preparing a draft of the code for Uttarakhand. Desai and members of the Uttarakhand panel met the Law Commission chairman, Justice (retired) Ritu Raj Awasthi, and members K T Sankaran, Anand Paliwal and D P Verma. "It was a courtesy call. Because we are working on it (UCC) and they are also perhaps considering it, she told reporters after the meeting at Uttarakhand Sadan. "They were asking what work we have done. So we also gave them some ideas. That's all, she added. When asked if the work done by the Uttarakhand UCC committee can be replicated at the national level, she said, "It is our wish that it will be good if other states also follow.