In an affidavit submitted by the center to Supreme Court, while responding to the petition seeking uniformity in laws related to matters such as divorce, succession, inheritance, adoption, and guardianship. The affidavit states that the Constitution obligates the state to have a Uniform Civil Code for citizens. It said citizens belonging to different religions and denominations fol- lowing different property and matrimonial laws is an affront to the nation’s unity.
However, the 21st Law Commission, the term of which ran out in August 2018, had said that a UCC is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage in the country.
In October this year, the Centre told the Supreme Court that the matter will now be placed before the 22nd Law Commission. But still different states including Himachal Pradesh are forming committees to seek suggestions on UCC.
And the report of Indian Express on the UCC committee of Himachal Pradesh is now clarifying the agenda with which UCC is formed to deal with. Source:- Newsd
The fear that UCC would be formed on a religious line should not continue as it would be more focused on ensuring gender equality and the rights of women. The committee has the mandate to look also into laws regulating personal civil matters such as marriage, divorce, property rights, succession, inheritance, adoption, maintenance, custody, and guardianship for the state residents.
Another aspect that is important to note on which people had doubts that it will have implications for their traditions which existed for more and hundreds or thousands of years. It is also clarified by a source quoted in a report by Indian Express which says The committee, however, has no intention to suggest changes in the existing practices, customs, traditions or marriage rituals, etc. It is S focussing on ensuring equal rights for women who constitute 50 percent of the population. During consultations, many women complained about not having equal rights in ancestral properties, marriage contracts, etc.
Key points as well as suggestions received from the committee on which it will work contain the following issues related to them. Compulsory registration of marriages to prevent cheating. Another suggestion is to ensure the registration of live-in relationships so that cheating and fraud can be avoided. It is also to ensure rights for the children born out of live-in relations. With the Supreme Court decriminalizing homosexuality, there is a clamor for legal backing for protecting the rights of LGBTQ couples, the source said.
The news till now is considered to be satisfying but it is just a suggestion reality May be different when it would be presented before the government and would also change a lot in the bill presented by the government in the legislature. Till then we can only rely on just sources but cannot predict what could happen next.
