UNFORMED CIVIL CODE

The concept has been revived in recent times with a new bill which envisages the setting up of a committee to examine the issue. The code has enormous implications for religious minorities. Freedom of religion is the core of our culture. Even the slightest deviation can undermine the social fibre

- Shaan Katari Libby 

MOST countries-France, the M UK, the US, Australia, to name a few-mandate that whatever religion you practice, you also abide by the laws of the land you reside in-civil laws and criminal laws regardless of your citizenship and faith. One could liken it to any educational institution, where everyone has to follow certain rules regardless of their individual backgrounds or beliefs.

If done sensitively, the implementation of a uniform civil code (UCC) encourages uniformity and consistency in the judicial system, providing a common set of values, civil laws, streamlining the legal system and removing the burden of maintaining different religious legal systems. India has done remarkably well to date by keeping all these systems in place. It has, however, caused inequality and discrimination as also cherry picking of convenient laws by those who wish to play the system.

Speaking as a completely secular Indian, hailing from a mixed background (a Muslim mother and a Hindu father, and now married to a Christian)-I strongly believe that we do need to come under one umbrella of laws. The State should have nothing to do with religion-keeping religion far away from politicians should be the goal, and hence having a UCC that is clear and transparent and has taken into account the status quo as best it can, would be a panacea.

Let us look at some of the thinking of those who actually wrote the Constitution of India: The UCC appears in Article 44 under Part IV of the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution-stating that the State shall endeavour to secure for citizens a UCC throughout the territory of India.