Uniform Civil Code Debate: Justice Sanjay Karol, Sujeet Kumar Discuss Common Civil Laws

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) remains a subject of debate across India, with legal experts and policymakers discussing its implications for personal laws, equality and religious practices.

Article 44 of the Constitution’s Directive Principles of State Policy calls on the state to endeavour to secure a common civil code for all citizens.

The Bharat Collective Foundation organised a programme to discuss the issue, attended by retired Supreme Court Justice Sanjay Karol, Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar, Uttarakhand UCC member Manu Goud and senior advocates.

Justice Karol welcomed the UCC as a framework for establishing a common set of laws. He discussed khap panchayats, triple talaq, the Supreme Court’s handling of the Shah Bano case and the legal aspects of live-in relationships.

Referring to Article 44 and the upcoming Chhath Puja celebrations, Karol said, “If you want to understand Article 44, go to Bihar.”

Senior Delhi High Court advocate Kirti Uppal highlighted Dr BR Ambedkar’s views on the need for a UCC.

Sujeet Kumar said around 8 million people had submitted suggestions on the proposed common civil code.

Manu Goud said Uttarakhand had implemented the UCC nearly one year and nine months earlier, describing it as the first state to introduce the code.

Goud added that other states were preparing to follow suit.

Arguing that a common civil code could promote unity despite religious differences, Goud discussed variations in marriage practices across religions and said political considerations had prevented successive governments from introducing a UCC since Independence.

Goud referred to a public interest litigation challenging Uttarakhand’s move to establish a committee to draft the code, saying the Supreme Court had dismissed the petition. He added that the state had conducted consultations across villages and districts to gather public suggestions before implementation.