A committee in Gujarat, tasked with drafting a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), assessed its work progress during a meeting in New Delhi on February 18. Chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Desai, the meeting focused on the status of the draft and discussed key aspects like marriage, divorce, inheritance rights, and adoption. Justice Desai highlighted that implementing the UCC would establish a fair legal framework promoting equality and justice for all citizens, aiming for uniformity in civil laws while preserving social harmony.
The committee scrutinized the current draft and considered feedback from previous consultations, with members sharing their insights after incorporating public suggestions and engaging with various social and religious groups. Emphasizing inclusivity, the committee assured that the interests of all communities are being taken into account during the drafting process. Notable attendees included retired IAS officer C. L. Meena, advocate R. C. Kodekar, former vice-chancellor Dakshesh Thakar, and social worker Geetaben Shroff.
Appointed by the state government last year, the five-member committee in Gujarat is responsible for formulating a UCC draft. Seeking inputs from citizens, institutions, and organizations, the panel has engaged with stakeholders across society, aligning with the national discourse on UCC, a Directive Principle of State Policy under Article 44 of the Indian Constitution. With Uttarakhand already enacting a UCC, Gujarat’s initiative stands out as a significant state-level endeavor to explore the practicality and structure of such legislation, with the committee continuing discussions before presenting final recommendations to the state government.
