The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled Chhattisgarh government has constituted a high-level committee to examine and prepare a draft for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. Retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai has been appointed as the Chairperson of the committee, which will formulate a roadmap for the UCC in Chhattisgarh.
Committee Composition and Scope
The committee comprises retired IAS officers Shyamdhar Singh and M.K. Raut, senior advocate Mohan Pawar, and Jyoti Rani Singh as members. Their mandate includes studying the existing legal framework relating to marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, and adoption. The panel will also seek suggestions from citizens, social organisations, legal experts, and other stakeholders before preparing a draft UCC and submitting its recommendations to the state government.
Learning from Other States
In addition, the committee will examine the provisions and models adopted by other states in relation to the Uniform Civil Code to help formulate a comprehensive framework for Chhattisgarh. Notably, Justice Desai had earlier headed the UCC drafting panel in Uttarakhand, bringing valuable experience to this new assignment.
The move aligns with the BJP's longstanding promise to implement a Uniform Civil Code across the country, aiming to replace personal laws based on religious scriptures with a common set of rules governing all citizens. The Chhattisgarh government has set the process in motion, indicating a structured approach to legal reform in the state.
Background and Implications
The Uniform Civil Code has been a subject of political and social debate in India, with proponents arguing for gender justice and national integration, while opponents raise concerns about religious freedom and cultural diversity. The committee's work will involve balancing these perspectives to create a draft that is acceptable to a broad spectrum of society.
Chhattisgarh becomes the latest BJP-ruled state to take steps towards UCC implementation, following Uttarakhand, which has already made significant progress. The committee is expected to submit its recommendations within a stipulated timeframe, after which the state government will consider the draft for legislation.
