Gujarat Cabinet Approves Formation Of Committee To Implement Uniform Civil Code: CM Bhupendra Patel
The governments of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have already indicated their intention to enact the Uniform Civil Code.
Ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat, the state cabinet on Saturday granted Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel the authority to form a committee for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the names of the committee members will be announced by the Chief Minister later.
The committee is likely to be formed under a retired High Court judge.
CM Bhupendra Patel tweeted, "An important decision has been taken today in the state cabinet meeting to form a high level committee under the chairmanship of a retired Supreme Court/High Court judge to examine the need for a Uniform Civil Code in the state and prepare a draft for this code."
રાજ્યમાં સમાન સીવીલ કોડ (Uniform Civil Code)ની આવશ્યકતા ચકાસવા તથા આ કોડ માટેનો મુસદ્દો તૈયાર કરવા સુપ્રિમ કોર્ટ/હાઇકોર્ટના નિવૃત્ત ન્યાયાધીશશ્રીની અધ્યક્ષતામાં ઉચ્ચકક્ષાની સમિતિની રચના કરવાનો મહત્વપૂર્ણ નિર્ણય આજે રાજ્ય મંત્રીમંડળની બેઠકમાં લેવામાં આવ્યો છે.
— Bhupendra Patel (@Bhupendrapbjp) October 29, 2022
“Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi & Union HM Amit Shah, CM Bhupendra Patel has taken a historic decision in the cabinet meeting today - of forming a committee for implementing the Uniform Civil Code in the state”, Gujarat home minister Harsh Sanghavi was quoted by ANI as saying. Gujarat will have elections in December, the dates of which have yet to be announced.
The governments of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have already indicated their intention to enact the Uniform Civil Code.
In India, the Uniform Civil Code is a proposal to develop and enforce personal laws for individuals that apply to all people equally regardless of religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Many political leaders have expressed support for the UCC, claiming that it will promote equality to the country.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has called it "an unconstitutional and anti-minorities move," and the rhetoric for enacting the law an attempt by the Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Central governments to divert attention away from concerns about inflation, the economy, and rising unemployment, news agency ANI reported.
Notably, in its 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) committed to implement UCC if elected.
The Centre told the Supreme Court earlier this month that it could not direct Parliament to draught or implement any Uniform Civil Code legislation in the country.
In its affidavit, the Ministry of Law and Justice argued that policy decisions are made by elected representatives of the people and that the Centre cannot give policy directives.
"It is up to the legislature to enact or not adopt laws," the ministry told the Supreme Court.
Notably, in its 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto, the Bharatiya Janata Party committed to implement UCC if elected.
ALSO READ: Gujarat Election 2022 Schedule Likely To Be Declared By Nov 2, Polls Expected In Two Phases
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is expected to announce the dates for the Gujarat Assembly Election by November 2, with the polls perhaps held in two stages.
According to sources, the timetable will be released on November 1 or November 2. The first round of voting will take place on November 30 or December 1, while the second round will take place on December 4 or 5. On December 8, the votes will be counted and the results will be announced.
(With Inputs From Agencies)
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