The five-member committee formed by the Gujarat government to assess the need for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and prepare a draft law commenced its consultation process on Tuesday. The state government has extended the time limit for the panel to submit its report by an additional 45 days.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had announced the formation of the committee last month.
It is chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai and includes retired IAS officer C L Meena, senior advocate R C Kodekar, former vice-chancellor of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University Dakshesh Thaker, and social activist Gita Shroff. Initially, the committee was given 45 days to submit its report.
On Tuesday, the committee held a meeting at its office in Karmayogi Bhavan in Gandhinagar, and launched a portal, http://uccgujarat.in, where residents, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, social groups, religious institutions, and political parties can submit suggestions.
Additionally, suggestions can be sent by post to Block No. 1, A-Wing, 6th Floor, Karmayogi Bhavan, Sector-10-A, Gandhinagar, by March 24, 2025.
Justice Desai stated, “From today, our work will begin. The committee has been given the task to assess requirements of UCC and to implement the same in Gujarat. After an assessment, we will make a draft (code). For that, we will do public consultation.”
To facilitate this, two sub-committees have been formed, and members will visit different districts for consultations.
She added, “Marriages and divorces will have to be registered, but rituals of marriage are not to be disturbed.”
Registration of all marriages and divorces will be mandatory, and divorces must be carried out as per the law. A draft addressing inheritance laws and live-in relationships will be prepared soon. She emphasised the importance of public consultation, stating, “If we want to bring a law, (it is important to know) what do the people have to say.”
The committee will study all suggestions, opinions, and objections before finalising its report. Justice Desai noted that UCC has already been implemented in Uttarakhand and referenced Supreme Court judgments on the matter.
During the consultations, various representations were made, including one by AAP’s tribal MLA Chaitar Vasava. He stated, “While we are open to dialogue, if tribals were to be included in the UCC, we will protest from Sadak to Sadan (street to legislature).”
In his written representation, Vasava argued that tribals have distinct traditions and rituals that the UCC would undermine. He cited customs such as the acceptance of eloping couples as married, community-based divorce proceedings, inheritance by sons-in-law, permission for widows and widowers to remarry, and the acceptance of polygamy.
Vasava also highlighted constitutional protections for tribals under Article 371, Schedules 5 and 6, The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, and land protection under Section 73AA of the Gujarat Land Revenue Code, which restricts the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals.
“We have appealed that the tribals be kept out of the UCC framework and we hope this assurance will be given in writing to the tribals as soon as possible,” he stated.
He further stressed the importance of equal representation in the consultation process, saying, “The committee planning to implement UCC in Gujarat should visit all the areas of the state, meet MPs and MLAs, speak to religious and social leaders, NGOs of all communities and only then take a call on this matter.”
The committee also held discussions with religious leaders from the Jain, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and Swaminarayan communities.
Political leaders, including Congress MLA Imran Khedawala and representatives from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), were present. Additionally, professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and engineers shared their views on the UCC.
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