Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Congress Questions UCC State Models After Justice Chavan’s Maharashtra Exit
The Uniform Civil Code is meant to create common rules for certain personal laws.
Maharashtra formed a seven-member committee to prepare a possible UCC framework.
Former judge R.C. Chavan left the committee on September 19.
He said he had disagreements about how the committee was working.
He also objected to the alleged involvement of an outsider.
The Congress party criticized the central government over the issue.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said different states were creating different versions of the UCC.
He argued that the country needs wider discussion and agreement before such reforms are introduced.
Congress accused the Modi government of using the Uniform Civil Code to divide and divert society.
Former Bombay High Court judge R.C. Chavan resigned from Maharashtra’s seven-member UCC panel on September 19.
Chavan cited differences over the committee’s functioning and alleged involvement of an outsider.
Jairam Ramesh questioned whether separate state-level UCCs were envisioned by the Constituent Assembly.
Congress alleged BJP-ruled states have adopted differing UCC provisions, penalties, procedures and exemptions.
- Who
- The Congress party, Jairam Ramesh and former Bombay High Court judge R.C. Chavan are central to the report.
- What
- Congress criticized the government over state-level Uniform Civil Codes and Chavan’s resignation from Maharashtra’s UCC panel.
- When
- Chavan resigned on September 19; Congress issued its criticism on Wednesday.
- Where
- The controversy concerns Maharashtra and UCC initiatives in BJP-ruled Indian states.
- Why
- Chavan cited concerns about the committee’s functioning and an alleged outsider’s involvement; Congress said UCC reform requires consultation and broader consensus.
- Panel
- A seven-member committee appointed by the Maharashtra government to prepare a UCC framework.
- Resignation
- R.C. Chavan resigned on September 19.
- Stated concerns
- Chavan cited differences over the committee’s functioning and alleged involvement of an outsider.
- Congress position
- Congress said the UCC should follow detailed consultations and broader consensus.
- State models
- Congress alleged that BJP-ruled states have adopted differing provisions, penalties, procedures and exemptions.
- Constitutional question
- Jairam Ramesh questioned whether the Constituent Assembly envisioned separate UCCs for each state.
- Election reference
- Ramesh referred to Amit Shah’s statement that the UCC would be implemented in all NDA-ruled states before the 2029 Lok Sabha election.