Govt says fresh consultations on UCC needed due to importance of subject

NEW DELHI: The government on Thursday said the Law Commission initiated fresh consultations on the issue of uniform civil code due to the “relevance and importance” of the subject and various court orders on the matter.

In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the 21st Law Commission had issued a consultation paper on “Reform of Family Law” on August 31, 2018. However, it had not submitted a report on the subject, he noted.

“Since more than four years have lapsed from the date of issuance of the said consultation paper, the 22nd Law Commission (the present panel) decided to solicit views and ideas of the public at large and religious organisations on June 14, 2023, bearing in mind the relevance and importance of the subject matter and also various court orders on the subject of uniform civil code,” he said.

Meghwal said since the law panel is in process of holding consultations at this stage, “the question of modalities does not accrue at this stage”.

Last week, the law panel had extended the deadline for the public to send their views on uniform civil code till July 28, saying the decision was taken following an overwhelming response and numerous requests seeking more time for submitting suggestions. June 14, the Law Commission initiated a fresh consultation process on the UCC by seeking views from stakeholders, including public and recognised religious organisations, on the politically sensitive issue.