Consultations on UCC to begin soon

NEW DELHI:The Law Commission will soon begin consultations for formulating recommendations for a uniform civil code (UCC). The Commission has drawn an initial list of over 30 individuals, including lawyers, politicians, former ministers, religious, political institutions and NGOs for consultations, a top source told ET.

Beginning this month, the commission will invite individuals and institutions on different dates to deliberate on the feasibility of a UCC. Commission chairman BS Chauhan held a meeting on Thursday evening to draw a list of personalities who can be invited for discussions. The list includes Congress leader Salman Khurshid, Maharashtra MP Husain Dalwai, BJP leader and SC advocate AK Upadhyay. Former Union minister Arif Mohammad Khan, who quit the Rajiv Gandhi ministry when it legislated against the Shah Bano verdict, has also been invited for the crucial discussions. Another invitee is women’s rights activist and founding member of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan Zakia Soman.

Hindu Mahasabha members, representatives of Christian groups and other religious groups will also be invited for deliberations. Non-governmental organisations will also be invited for the same purpose. The list includes individuals and institutions who submitted suggestions on the issue.


Earlier, the law commission had set May 6 as the final deadline for tangible comments and suggestions on the debate. A number of religious and apolitical institutions had given opinion on the subject, said a law commission official requesting anonymity. “An overwhelming response has been received.”

“The objective to hold consultations is to have a brainstorming session with all stakeholders and receive their opinions and proceed accordingly. Such a crucial issue cannot be decided in isolation,” said another official. ETwas first to report, on June 30, 2016, that the Modi government had asked the Law Commission to examine the issue of implementing a UCC. It was the first time a government had asked the commission for looking into UCC. The reference kicked off a political storm. Following the reference, the law commission had drawn a detailed questionnaire on its website and invited responses to it.