Uniform Civil Code

Uniform Civil Code

Context

• Recently, the PM of India, on the occasion of 78th Independence Day, caused for a UCC (Uniform Civil Code), providing the country with singular identity.

About

• It is outlined in article 44 of Indian constitution in the Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV.
• It states that : The state shall strive to establish a uniform civil code for all its citizens.
• The implementation of such provision is completely left to the discretion of the government.
• The only state in India where UCC is followed through the Portuguese Civil Code, 1867 is Goa.

Origin :

• The Uniform Criminal Laws were established by the British.
• The Constituent Assembly thereafter discussed upon the implementation of UCC in which Muslim members raised concerns about it emphasizing the disbalanced that may be caused in their communal practices.
• In the meeting people like KM Munshi Alladi Krishnaswami, BR Ambedkar supported UCC.

Significance of UCC:

• Unity promotion : It creates a shared and common identity among all citizen ensuring they develop a sense of belong around.
• Reduces communal conflicts: Different cases of riots and conflicts arising from different personal laws can easily be reduced.
• Rationalization of law: UCC would be a great step towards simplifying multiple personal laws.
• Ensures equality : It challenges the patriarchal society and addresses the discrimination caused on the basis of gender.

Associated Challenges :

• Religious opposition : Many religious counter can be seen against the implementation of UCC claiming that it will cause massive hindrance to their personal laws.
• Political opposition : The UCC is often opposed by politics, teaching a decline in communal vote banks.
• Diversified Personal Laws : In the matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession etc, the imposition of single code can be very challenging.

Way Forward  

• Unity and Uniformity: the multiculture face of India must come forward in unity to form an integrated India.
• Maintaining a Balance: The legislatures must focus on eliminating such practices from society that doesn't match the constitutional standards.

Education and Awareness : All the citizens must be aware to understand UCC which is very important in order to implement it effectively.