2 hrs ago
Gujarat's State Civil Code Debate Draws Contrasting Views
Gujarat has approved a law called the Uniform Civil Code, or UCC.
The law sets common rules for issues such as marriage, divorce and inheritance.
It applies to people regardless of their religion.
Congress leader Salman Khurshid says different states are creating different versions of the law.
He believes they should not all be called a Uniform Civil Code.
RSS leader Indresh Kumar supports the UCC.
He says it can protect people from unfair treatment and help different religious groups live peacefully.
Courts are also considering challenges to the UCC in Uttarakhand.
President Droupadi Murmu approved Gujarat’s Uniform Civil Code Bill after it passed the state Assembly in March.
The legislation covers marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance and live-in relationships regardless of religion.
Congress leader Salman Khurshid criticized separate UCC frameworks in different BJP- and NDA-ruled states.
Khurshid said the differing state laws should be called a “State Civil Code” rather than a Uniform Civil Code.
RSS leader Indresh Kumar defended the UCC as a way to protect religions and promote harmony among communities and sects.
- Who
- President Droupadi Murmu approved Gujarat’s bill; Congress leader Salman Khurshid criticized state-specific codes, while RSS leader Indresh Kumar defended the UCC.
- What
- Gujarat’s Uniform Civil Code Bill received presidential assent, prompting debate over whether separate state versions should be called a uniform code.
- Where
- The legislation concerns Gujarat; Khurshid spoke in Guwahati, and petitions against implementation in Uttarakhand are before the Nainital High Court.
- When
- The bill passed the Gujarat Assembly in March; the articles do not specify the date of presidential assent.
- Why
- The bill seeks common rules for personal civil matters, while its critics question the use of one name for differing state laws and its supporters say it protects religious communities and promotes harmony.
Critics of State-Specific UCCs
Supporters of the UCC
Uniformity across states
Critics of State-Specific UCCs
Salman Khurshid argues that separate codes in Assam, Gujarat and other BJP- or NDA-ruled states are different and therefore should be called state civil codes.
Supporters of the UCC
Indresh Kumar maintains that the UCC is a common legal framework intended to protect and respect all religions and their sub-sects.
Effect on religious communities
Critics of State-Specific UCCs
Khurshid’s comments question whether differently framed state laws can legitimately share the name Uniform Civil Code; implementation in Uttarakhand is also facing court challenges.
Supporters of the UCC
Kumar says the law can prevent atrocities and injustice between religious groups and sects while allowing people to follow and respect their own religions.
Key facts
- Legislation
- Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill
- Approval
- President Droupadi Murmu gave the bill her assent.
- Assembly passage
- The Gujarat Assembly passed the bill in March.
- Subjects covered
- Marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance and live-in relationships.
- Khurshid’s criticism
- He said differing state codes should be called a “State Civil Code.”
- Supporter’s position
- Indresh Kumar said the UCC protects religions and their sub-sects.
- Legal challenge
- Multiple writ petitions and public interest litigations have been filed in the Nainital High Court against implementation in Uttarakhand.
Quotes
Salman Khurshid
Congress leader and former Union minister
“Uniform Civil Code is a law that protects and respects every religion. Suppose there is some kind of tension between any two religions or their sub-sects, like between Shias and Sunnis (in Muslims). The law ensures that the sects don't commit atrocities against each other and rather live together in harmony.”
thehansindia.com
“What is being implemented in Assam is not being implemented in another (BJP/NDA ruled) state; what is being implemented there is not being implemented in Gujarat. Everywhere, different codes are being framed, and they call it UCC. How can different codes be given the same name?”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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