In a significant move, the Chhattisgarh government has started the process of implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). A high-level committee led by Justice (retired) Ranjana Prakash Desai has been formed to draft the law, fulfilling a key electoral promise of the BJP government. Chhattisgarh now joins a few states actively working on state-specific versions of the UCC.
The neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh has also begun this process, with a Bill expected in the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Assembly. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai chairs the five-member committee in Chhattisgarh, which includes retired bureaucrats, legal experts, and senior advocates.
The committee’s task is to evaluate the current legal framework, analyze the feasibility of a Uniform Civil Code in Chhattisgarh, and provide detailed recommendations to the government. This marks the initial phase of a complex process, involving a thorough study of personal laws governing various aspects like marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, and more.
The committee will review significant court judgments, engage with legal scholars, consult social organizations, and interact with representatives of different religious communities. The government’s move is considered a significant legal and political development, aiming to align personal laws with principles of equality and justice while respecting cultural and religious diversity.
