The Maharashtra government has initiated the process of preparing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for the state and is expected to constitute an expert committee to examine the existing legal framework and prepare a draft proposal.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the development, saying the government is likely to announce the formation of the committee during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra Assembly. A formal notification is expected next week.
According to the Chief Minister, the idea of a Uniform Civil Code is rooted in the Directive Principles of State Policy under the Constitution. Referring to Dr B. R. Ambedkar, Fadnavis said a common civil framework seeks to bring uniformity to personal laws governing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption.
Reacting to the announcement, senior Congress leader Sachin Sawant said the constitutional provision relating to the Uniform Civil Code was introduced as part of the Directive Principles of State Policy and credited former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for his contribution to the constitutional framework.
Sawant said the Chief Minister should also have acknowledged Nehru's role while referring to the constitutional basis of the proposal.
He further argued that the Constitution envisages broad consultation before such legislation is framed. According to him, legal experts, advocates, representatives of different communities, and other stakeholders should be involved in the drafting process to ensure the law is inclusive and widely acceptable.
He added that the Congress would support the proposed legislation if it is aimed at genuine legal reform and inclusivity. However, he said the party would oppose the move if it were used to create political controversy or social polarisation.
Meanwhile, Shivsena Shinde Faction Manisha Kayande welcomed the government's move, saying the Uniform Civil Code has long been a core ideological position of the Shiv Sena.
She recalled that the late Bal Thackeray had aligned with the BJP on three key issues, the construction of the Ram Temple, the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, and the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code.
Kayande said the party has consistently advocated a common civil law applicable to all citizens, irrespective of religion, and expressed hope that Maharashtra would implement the reform at the earliest.
The Uniform Civil Code seeks to establish a common set of civil laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption for all citizens, irrespective of religion.
At present, UCC has been implemented in Uttarakhand, Goa and Assam, while similar legislative proposals have also been introduced in states including Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.
