The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat, led by Chief minister Bhupendra Patel, said it’s forming a committee to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. The decision was taken after a cabinet meeting.
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has taken a historic decision in the Cabinet meeting today – of forming a committee for implementing the Uniform Civil Code in the state.”
The committee would comprise three to four members, headed by a retired Gujarat High court judge who will look into implementing UCC in the state. Union Minister Parshottam Rupala said the panel would be constituted before the model code of conduct for Gujarat takes effect. He added that the Union government would consider a similar proposal on Uniform Civil Code “at an opportune time.”
However, the announcement ahead of elections in the state has invited criticism from the opposition. Congress party called it a political gimmick to polarise Hindu votes. Senior Congress leader, Arjun Modhwadia, said “Personal laws are passed by the Parliament, and the Gujarat Assembly does not have the power to make one.”
Aam Aadmi Party chief, Arvind Kejriwal, who is in the state, campaigning ahead of the polls, noted that he is in favor of the Uniform Civil Code, but the BJP is just bluffing about it. He said, even before the elections in Uttarakhand, the BJP formed a committee for UCC. However, after the elections, it did not implement it.
Kejriwal asked why the BJP isn’t bringing UCC in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, where it is ruling. He also sought to know whether the party is waiting for the Lok Sabha elections to talk about UCC across the country.
Addressing a press conference in Bhavnagar, Arvind Kejriwal said although under Article 44 of Part 4, it is the responsibility of the state to bring in a uniform law for all, it must be done in consultation with all communities involved.
UCC has been a much-debated issue, as Muslims fear it would do away with their existing religion-based laws. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has termed the formation of the UCC committee “an unconstitutional and anti-minorities move.”
In May, after the Uttarakhand government’s announcement on UCC in the state, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur too said UCC would be implemented in the state soon.
Image: FPJ