Law Commission’s report on Uniform Civil Code — undesirable and unnecessary https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/law-commissions-report-on-uniform-civil-code-undesirable-and-unnecessary-8680821/ June 23, 2023 Flavia Agnes writes: In the five years since the 21st Law Commission submitted its report, the government has not followed up on any of its recommendations.
The Commission had commented, “Mere existence of difference does not imply discrimination, but is indicative of a robust democracy”. It had noted that most countries are moving towards the recognition of difference in place of legal provisions that are founded on uniformity between culturally diverse people — these are unfair to the weaker and vulnerable sections.
It underlined that rather than enacting a UCC, family laws of every religion must be reformed to make them gender-just. It talked about the uniformity of rights, not laws. The Commission’s consultation paper emphasised that celebration of diversity must not disadvantage specific groups and “women must be guaranteed their freedom of faith without any compromise on their right to equality”.