The Law Commission on Wednesday sought views of the public and religious organizations on Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The Law Commission has given a time period of 30 days from the date of notice to send the views. Uniform Civil Code ensures common rules in the personal matters to the people of all religions. 

Uniform Civil Code: What is Uniform Civil Code ?

Uniform Civil Code means to ensure common rules in personal matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance and succession, to all the people of the country irrespective of their religion. Uniform Civil Law falls under the Article 44 of the Indian Constitution which mentions that the state shall endeavor to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India. 

Views of the 21st Law Commission 

Uniform Civil Code was examined in August 2018 by the 21st Law Commission, led by Former Supreme Court Judge, Justice BS Chauhan. The 21st Law Commission stated that the UCC “is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage” in the country. A 185 pages consultation paper on “Reforms of Family Law” was also issued on UCC which emphasized that secularism should not contradict cultural diversity prevailing in the country. 

The 22nd Law Commission of India decided again to solicit views and ideas of the public at large and recognized religious organizations about the Uniform Civil Code. Those who are interested and willing may present their views within a period of 30 days from the date of Notice… pic.twitter.com/s9ZV9WqKU4

— ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2023

It said that “Cultural diversity cannot be compromised to the extent that our urge for uniformity itself becomes a reason for threat to the territorial integrity of the nation”. It stated that ‘diversity’ never always means discrimination and that a country should be ‘unified’ rather than being ‘uniform’. 

22nd Law Commission set to deliberate afresh

22nd Law Commission now seeks solicited views on the Uniform Civil Code.”Since more than three years have lapsed from the date of issuance of the said consultation paper, bearing in mind the relevance and importance of the subject and also the various court orders on the subject, the 22nd Law Commission considered it expedient to deliberate afresh over the subject,” said the board. 

People interested in sharing their views on UCC to the commission can send their views via the email to the member – secretary or can also send their views via the website.

Uniform Civil Code: Origin 

The Uniform Civil Code finds its roots from the time of colonial India. In 1835, the British Government submitted a report addressing the need for the implementation of common rules in the personal and criminal matters of evidence and contracts. The British Government emphasized the need to keep aside the Hindu and Muslim personal laws.

■ Also Read: क्या है समान नागरिक संहिता (Uniform Civil Code)

In response to this, BN Rau committee was formed, whose task was to codify Hindu Law in 1941. This committee codified Hindu Law in accordance with the Hindu Scriptures, which would give equal rights to women. In 1937, this act was reviewed and the committee suggested adding a civil code of marriage and succession for Hindus.

Uniform Civil Code: The Hindu Code Bill 

• In 1951, after the adoption of the Indian constitution, the draft of the Rau Committee report was submitted to a committee headed by  B R Ambedkar which came for discussion. The discussion continued and the Hindu Code Bill lapsed. It was in 1952, that the Hindu Code Bill was resubmitted.
• Finally The Hindu Code Bill was adopted in the year 1956 as the Hindu Succession Act. It dealt with amendment and codification of the law related to unwilled or intestate succession in the major religions such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains. 
• This Act reformed Hindu personal laws and provided greater property rights, and ownership to women. This act also provided property rights to women in their father’s property. As of the Act of 1956, the general rules of succession states that if a male dies intestate, then Class I heirs are preferred over other class heirs. 
• Hindu Succession Act amended in the year 2005 added more descendants and also elevated females to Class I heirs. As per the act equal share is given to both a son and a daughter.

Different Religion, different Personal Laws 

Personal laws of a religion are controlled by the religious texts of the respective religion. Since both Hindus and the Muslims follow different religious texts and thus there are different personal laws of both the religions. Hindus follow the Hindu Code Bill and Muslims follow Sharia Law. 

Uniform Civil Code: Objective  

The aim of this law is to ensure protection to vulnerable groups including religious minorities and women in all personal matters. It aims to promote unity of the nation. When implemented the law will ensure the same rights and laws to every individual of the country irrespective of their religion.  

Satlok is the place of Uniformity 

Uniformity means uniform rules and equal rights to all irrespective of their creed, caste, religion and social status. Satlok is the place of eternal uniformity. There is no discrimination in Satlok. Each and every resident of Satlok is provided with uniform and equal rights and facilities by the Almighty God Kabir Saheb Ji. All residents in Satlok are equal in all respects. There is no subject of big-small, rich-poor, strong-weak.

How to attain Satlok ?  

To attain Satlok, one has to practice True Worship based on the religious scriptures, after taking initiation from Tatvadarshi Sant. Currently Sant Rampalji Maharaj of Hisar, Haryana is the only Tatvadarshi Saint in the world. Sant Rampalji Maharaj provides the True Way of Worship by which one can attain salvation and can go to Satlok.