Implementing Uniform Civil Code in India is not that easy

 

 

HnExpress Muhammad Shamim Hossain, Kolkata : As the 22nd Law Commission in 2016 and 2018, after the 21st Law commission issued a consultation paper on “Reforms of Family Laws” once again sought “stakeholders’ views and opinions” on the Uniform Civil Code, the UCC issue has once again moved to the country’s socio-political platforms.

India is a country of diversity, consisting of followers of the world’s major religions, as well as numerous castes and tribes who follow their own religious, or tribal beliefs, culture and customs. Customs vary from one sub-caste or sub-tribe to another, even within the same caste or tribe.

Any attempt to bring all these customs or cultures under one law or unify them is an exercise in flogging a dead horse. People are led to believe that the Uniform Civil Code is another tool to teach Muslims a lesson, and this narrative is easy to find support in the current Indian scenario.

 

 

The media is also highlighting it as something that only affects Muslims. But this is not the reality. The Uniform Civil Code applies to every citizen of the country, whether he is a follower of any religion, belongs to a particular tribe or caste, or is a rationalist or an atheist.

Unification of civil laws would be chaotic, as it would disrupt the cultural landscape of the country’s hundreds of tribal sects as well as various religious groups. The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a proposed set of personal laws that will apply to all citizens of India, irrespective of their religion or caste.

The UCC will cover matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption. UCC has many advantages. It will provide a uniform set of laws for all citizens, irrespective of their religion or caste. This will help reduce gender discrimination and ensure that everyone enjoys equal rights under the law.

 

 

The UCC will also make it easier for people to move between different states and countries, as they will not have to worry about different personnel laws. However, UCC also has some disadvantages. Some argue that it would violate freedom of religion,

as it would take away the right of religious communities to practice their own personal laws. Others argue that the UCC would be difficult to implement, as it would be necessary to reconcile the various personal laws currently in place in India.

The merits and demerits of UCC are complex and there are no easy answers. However, this is an important issue that needs to be discussed in India. Here are some specific advantages and disadvantages of UCC We know that every coin has two sides.

 

 

• It will provide a uniform set of laws for all citizens, irrespective of their religion or caste.
• It will help reduce gender discrimination.
• It will facilitate movement of people between different states and countries.
• It will promote social harmony.
• This will be in accordance with the secular nature of the Indian Constitution. On the contrary, if we look at it differently, its disadvantages are very high.
• It may violate freedom of religion.
• It can be difficult to implement.
• It can be seen as an attack on religious practices of minority communities.
• It can lead to social unrest.
  Ultimately, the decision whether or not to enforce the UCC is a complex issue. There are pros and cons to consider, and they must be weighed carefully before taking a decision.
• This country is a secular country. Article 19 and Article 25 would give us the right to have our religious rights. Actually, it’s all a vote bank game. You can also think of it as a game to divide the country.
• In 2024, BJP has no asos (theme). So some new trick will have to be played. There will be only 20 to 22 crore Muslims in this country. The 120 crore people of India should come to an agreement between themselves.
• Is the uniform civil code approved or not? Just as the ruling party withdrew the Ksan law bill from passing the law, the UCC will also regret it. There are hundreds, not thousands of sects in Hinduism.
• Thus, they have hundreds of rituals here. The question arises that if there is an Indian Penal Code in the country, then what is the need for a separate Uniform Civil Code?