Tahir Mahmood writes: The case for a Uniform Civil Code https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/uniform-civil-code-common-civil-code-article-37-narendra-modi-govt-8694942/ Kapil Sibal July 4, 2023 Uniformity of laws by itself is no virtue. The rationale for UCC is to have family laws free of religion and gender-based discrimination..Many new laws of general application have been enacted over the years — to name a few, the Special Marriage Act 1954, Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, Foreign Marriage Act 1969, maintenance law under the Criminal Procedure Code 1973, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, and Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007. The totality of these laws, each overriding contrary provisions of all personal laws, partly answers the demand of the Constitution for uniformity in family laws.
Kapil Sibal writes: PM Modi’s call for a Uniform Civil Code is a piece with BJP’s polarising politics https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-ruse-of-uniformity-8699562/ The visceral dislike for the ‘other’ is exploited for electoral benefits...In the past nine years, the government has not had the time or inclination to consult all stakeholders and undertake the necessary efforts to build a consensus on this issue. One gets the feeling that the PM’s statement is intended — to say the least — to embarrass his opponents and in the process, secure brownie points for him.
Before I delve into the motives behind the PM’s statement, some pertinent issues need to be highlighted. PM Modi must at least explain what he means by a “Uniform Civil Code” that will applicable throughout the territory of India. I don’t think any political party is required, or obliged, to respond to this call before they know what he actually means. In my view, he intends to start a fruitless debate before we are made aware of his understanding of the matter. Written by