Government received representations backing Uniform Civil Code: Law Minister DV Sadananda Gowda

NEW DELHI: Government has received representations from various quarters supporting implementation of a Uniform Civil Code, but keeping in mind the sensitivity involved, wider consultations would be required before taking further steps, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

In a written response, Law Minister DV Sadananda Gowda said the Supreme Court had recently expressed concern over gender discrimination faced by Muslim women and had observed that the matter needs consideration by that court as the issue relates not merely to a policy matter but to fundamental rights of women.

"The government has received certain representations from various quarters for brining in a Uniform Civil Code as envisaged under Article 44 of the Constitution," he said.

The Minister said in view of the importance of the subject matter and "sensitivity" involved, wider consultation with stakeholders would be required for "taking further steps" in this regard.

Recently, Gowda had told reporters that a Uniform Civil Code is necessary for national integration but any decision to bring it can be taken only after wider consultations.

Gowda had said "wider consultations" will be held with various personal law boards and other stakeholders to evolve a consensus and the process may take 'some time'.

"... Even the Preamble of our Constitution and Article 44 of the Constitution do say that there should be a Uniform Civil Code. For the interest of national integration, certainly a common civil code is necessary. But it is a very sensitive issue. It needs very wider consultation. Even communities, even across the party line, even various organisations... it need to have a wider consultation," Gowda had said in October.