The uniform civil code rolled out in Uttarakhand by BJP government today could erode the cultural and religious identities of minority communities, infringing upon their right to follow personal religious practices. UCC has been raised in Uttarakhand as a bogey because of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s Hindutva ideology. India’s unique social and cultural diversity means that different communities have distinct customs and traditions. A single code will overlook these differences, leading to social unrest. Infact, In 2018, the Law Commission held a UCC unnecessary and suggested amending the existing family laws to address discrimination and inequalities.

Infact UCC is bullying of North Indians against other Hindu communities. The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and Hindu Succession Act, 1956, are based on practices in North India, which received primacy over the eastern and southern states. If BJP want uniformity in all aspects of civil life, they will have to amend the income tax rules. It would be interesting to see how a state-based UCC deals with the Hindu Undivided Family defined in the Income Tax Act. moreover at present, central laws regulate marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance and taxation in India. It means they apply across the country and are not state-specific.

Mohammad Shafi
National Vice President