The commission is examining the “defects” in the personal laws followed by various communities to rationalise them. This is likely to pave the way for a common code.
As per available information, the commission held talks with a few Muslim organisations. The discussions will resume in the first week on July.
In what is being perceived as the first step towards bringing a uniform civil code (UCC) for the country, the Law Commission is preparing a report on the codification of personal laws.
Personal laws cover matters of property, marriage, divorce, inheritance and succession. Currently, there are different personal laws for Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis and others. A uniform code will mean a set of common personal laws for all citizens.
The commission is examining the “defects” in the personal laws followed by various communities to rationalise them. This is likely to pave the way for a common code.
The commission is currently perusing the more than 67,000 comments it received so far to a questionnaire on the issue it posted on its website. But, with barely two months remaining for the term of the 21st Law Commission under the chairmanship of Justice (retd) BS Chauhan to expire, it is unlikely to submit the final report on uniform civil code by August.
It recently started its public consultations over the subject. ET was the first to report on May 11 that the commission drew a list of over 30 individuals including eminent lawyers, politicians, former ministers, religious and political institutions and NGOs for consultations.
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The commission had earlier given a final opportunity to submit tangible comments and suggestions for a constructive debate on a common code. It had set May 6 as the revised and last cut-off date for receipt of suggestions. A host of religious and apolitical institutions had come forward and submitted their opinions.
As per available information, the commission held talks with a few Muslim organisations. The discussions will resume in the first week on July.
The commission, as reported earlier by ET, is also examining the “practical difficulties” which may create a roadblock for the implementation of a uniform code.
ET was the first to report in July 2016 that the Narendra Modi government had referred the contentious issue of uniform civil code for “examination” to the Law Commission.
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It was for the first time a government had asked the commission, which has a crucial advisory role on legal reform, to look into the politically controversial issue — even after 68 years of Independence, consensus on having uniform civil code has remained elusive. The reference had kicked off a major political storm. Following the reference, the commission had drawn a detailed questionnaire posting it on its website inviting responses.
The ruling BJP has always been in favour of a uniform civil code while the Congress has opposed it. Article 44 of the Directive Principles sets implementation of uniform civil code as “the duty of the State”.
