Questionnaire on UCC is an academic task: Panel chief

NEW DELHI: It needs to be appreciated that it is the Supreme Court, which has raised the issue of uniform civil code time and again holding that Article 44 is not a dead letter, Law Commission Chairman Justice (retired) Balbir Singh Chauhan told ET.

The chairman said he is “fully willing and open” to include any important issue relating to the uniform civil code, which the public feels has been left out by the Commission.

The law body has come under attack by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) which has decided to boycott the questionnaire put out by the Commission. The Board, last week, alleged that the questionnaire is loaded in favour of implementing the uniform civil code.

“It is completely wrong to insinuate that the questionnaire is loaded in favour of the uniform civil code.

When we ourselves are unsure of what format and shape the uniform civil code can eventually take or not take, how can anyone be apprehensive about the issue at this stage?” quipped the Commission Chairman.

Chauhan said, “It is too premature to guess or assess anything about the issue. We only want to know views of the people.” Elaborating, he said that the Commission has invited all the religious bodies, leaders, institutions and individuals to come for ward and join the debate.

“It is purely an academic exercise to find out the opinion of the public. We are not a lawmaking authority. If someone has a difficulty they should forpoint out what is the problem. We are in no hurry,” Chauhan said.

He further said “We (Commission) have not done anything. We have only invited suggestions on what can be done.”

He flatly refused to comment on the allegations levelled by the Muslim Personal Law Board against the Modi government that it (government) is raging an internal war by raising the issue of uniform civil code.

When asked if the Commission is planning to reach out to the Muslim Personal Law Board after the latter has decided to boycott the initiative, Chauhan said, “The matter will be discussed with the members of the Commission. I alone cannot decide the matter.”

He explained that the questionnaire put out by the Commission on its website was formulated “only after holding due deliberations with a large number of persons, legal experts and members of the Law Commission”.

He said, “If anything has been left out or needs to be added anybody is most welcome to come forward and give suggestions.” In fact, he added, the Commission would consider suggestions even from Indians living abroad or foreigners, who can give valuable suggestions on the feasibility of the issue at hand.