The Law Commission of India has launched a new consultation process on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and has invited the general public as well as recognized religious organizations to provide their views on the matter. Stakeholders have been given a period of 30 days from the date of notice to present their feedback.
In a statement released on June 14, the law panel mentioned that the 21st Law Commission of India had previously examined the subject of the Uniform Civil Code and sought the opinions of all stakeholders through appeals and questionnaires issued in October 2016, as well as subsequent public notices in March and April 2018.
However, considering the time that has elapsed since the issuance of the initial consultation paper and the significance of the subject, as well as various court orders related to the matter, the 22nd Law Commission of India deemed it necessary to revisit the topic and initiate a fresh discussion.
The commission acknowledged that it had received overwhelming responses during the previous consultation process, leading to the issuance of the consultation paper on “Reforms of Family Law” by the 21st Law Commission on August 31, 2018.
Interested individuals and organizations are now invited to present their views within a 30-day period from the date of the notice. They can do so by clicking on the provided link or by sending an email to membersecretary-lci@gov.in.
The Uniform Civil Code proposes to replace personal laws, which are currently based on the scriptures and customs of various religious communities, with a unified set of rules that would apply to all citizens of the country. It aims to establish a common framework governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, and succession.
Earlier this year, the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), J P Nadda, reiterated the party’s commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code within the boundaries of the Constitution. He emphasized that the party followed the policy of “Justice for All and Appeasement for None.”
The consultation process initiated by the Law Commission provides an opportunity for individuals and religious organizations to contribute their perspectives on the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in India. The feedback received will play a crucial role in shaping the future discussions and potential reforms in family law.