Uniform Civil Code: UCC
The Central Government has clarified before the Delhi High Court that since the Uniform Civil Code is a matter of public policy, no direction can be issued to Parliament in this regard.
- The Center has informed the Delhi High Court that the matter of implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is currently pending with the Law Commission of India.
- UCC refers to a single law. It applies to personal matters of all citizens such as marriage, divorce, custody, adoption and succession.
- Its purpose is to do away with the system of separate personal laws. These laws currently govern interpersonal relations and related matters within various religious communities.
Arguments in favor of UCC
- Article 44 of the Constitution provides that the State shall endeavor to implement a ‘uniform civil code’.
- Helpful in implementing judicial decisions (Mohammed Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum case (1985) and SarlaMudgal v. Union of India case, (1995).
- The Code makes national integration possible, as different laws for different religious groups promote communalism.
- The Code ensures gender justice, as most religious or customary personal laws are in favor of men and biased against women.
Arguments Against UCC
- Parliament does not have exclusive jurisdiction over ‘personal laws’ (mentioned in the Concurrent List). This is contrary to Article 25 (the fundamental right to individual religion), and Article 26(b) (the right to administer one’s own religious affairs).
- It is against the diversity of the country.
Source – The Hindu
