What is Uniform Civil Code? – Code Debate, Constitution of India, Challenges

The Uniform Civil Code in India aims to have a single set of laws applicable to all religious communities, promoting equality and justice. The Indian Constitution mentions this as “Article 44” in Part 4, stating that the government should strive to establish a uniform civil code for all Indian citizens.

In recent years, there has been significant debate surrounding the Uniform Civil Code in India. The discussion began with a petition in 2019, seeking the creation of a UCC to enhance national unity, gender equality, and the dignity of women.

This topic can be relevant to the IAS Exam, appearing in both Prelims and Mains in various papers like GS-1 (Indian Society), GS-II (Governance), and Essays. This article delves into the challenges and recommendations for implementing the Uniform Civil Code and explores the debates surrounding it.

Uniform Civil Code

A Uniform Civil Code, in simple terms, ensures that everyone in the society, regardless of their religious beliefs, is treated equally under a single national set of civil laws. These laws apply consistently to everyone and address important aspects of life such as marriage, divorce, financial support, inheritance, adoption, and property transfer.

The underlying idea is that, in today’s modern society, there should be no link between religion and the legal framework. This concept promotes fairness and uniformity for all citizens.

What is Article 44?

Article 44 in India’s Constitution relates to the Directive Principles of State Policy, which urge the government to work towards establishing a single civil code (UCC) that applies consistently to all citizens across the entire country.

Uniform Civil Code Debate

In the historical context, the discussion about a uniform civil code in India goes way back to the time of British colonial rule.

Before India’s independence (colonial era), in 1840, the Lex Loci Report emphasized the need for consistency in Indian law regarding crimes, evidence, and contracts. However, it suggested that the personal laws of Hindus and Muslims should remain separate.

Queen Victoria’s Proclamation in 1859 promised non-interference in religious matters. As a result, while criminal laws were standardized for the entire country, personal laws continued to differ for different communities.

In the post-colonial period (1947-1985), when the Indian Constitution was being drafted, leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar advocated for a uniform civil code. Due to opposition from religious fundamentalists and a lack of public awareness, it was included in the Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 44). During this time, significant reforms were introduced:

1. The Hindu Code Bill, drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, aimed to reform Hindu laws, allowing divorce, opposing polygamy, and granting inheritance rights to daughters. However, a watered-down version passed through four different laws.
2. The Hindu Succession Act of 1956 initially denied daughters inheritance rights in ancestral property but was later amended in 2005 to rectify this disparity.
3. The Hindu Marriage Act, Minority and Guardianship Act, Adoptions and Maintenance Act, and the Special Marriage Act were enacted to address various aspects of personal law.

Judicial interventions also played a role in this journey:

1. The Shah Bano case in 1985 involved a divorced woman who was denied maintenance. The Supreme Court ruled in her favor, recommending the establishment of a uniform civil code.
2. The Daniel Latifi Case challenged the Muslim Women’s Act (MWA) but was harmonized with Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code, ensuring maintenance for divorced Muslim women.
3. The Sarla Mudgal Case clarified that a Hindu marriage could not be dissolved simply by converting to Islam and marrying again.
4. In the John Vallamattom Case, a priest from Kerala challenged a provision in the Indian Succession Act as discriminatory, and the section was struck down as unconstitutional.

These legal cases and reforms have played a significant role in the ongoing discussion about a uniform civil code in India.

Constitution of India on Uniform Civil Code

Article 44 in the Indian Constitution aims to establish a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens across the country. Nevertheless, Article 37 clarifies that the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) outlined in the Constitution are not legally binding and cannot be enforced by the courts.

Despite this, they hold a significant role in governing the nation. In essence, while the Constitution suggests the need for a Uniform Civil Code, it does not mandate its implementation.

Goa Civil Code

Goa stands out in India as the sole state with a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which is essentially a common family law. This law, rooted in the Portuguese Civil Code dating back to the 19th century, still governs Goa today, even after its liberation.

Key Points:

• Equal Distribution: The Goa UCC promotes gender equality by ensuring that income and property are equally shared between spouses and among their children, irrespective of their gender.
• Mandatory Registration: Births, marriages, and deaths must be registered without exceptions. For divorce, various provisions are in place to govern the process.
• Restrictions for Registered Marriages: If a Muslim marriage is registered in Goa, polygamy and triple talaq are prohibited.
• Shared Ownership: Throughout a marriage, all property and wealth acquired by each spouse are jointly owned by the couple.
• Inheritance Rules: When it comes to inheritance, parents are unable to disinherit their children completely. At least half of their property must be passed on to their offspring, and this inherited property is divided equally among the children.
• Exceptions and Drawbacks: The Goa UCC is not entirely uniform, as there are specific circumstances allowing Hindu men to have more than one wife. However, for other communities, polygamy is strictly prohibited.

Uniform Civil Code Challenges in its Implementation

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a widely debated topic, especially in the context of UPSC Current Affairs. It’s crucial for aspirants to stay informed about this, and you can find more information in the linked article.

Creating a set of rules that would apply to all communities is a challenging and time-consuming task. It involves accommodating a wide range of interests and sentiments.

One issue with the UCC is that its specific content hasn’t been clearly defined, leading some minorities to fear that it might impose the majority’s views on them. Additionally, the complexity and sensitivity of this matter have led to a lack of political will for its implementation.

Different religious communities have their own personal laws, which has turned the UCC debate into a political issue. Opponents argue that personal laws are based on religious beliefs and should not be disrupted, as it may create animosity and tension among different religious communities.

India, being a secular country, ensures minorities the right to practice their own religion, culture, and customs under Article 29 and 30, and implementing UCC is seen by some as contradicting these articles.

Suggestions for Implementing a Uniform Civil Code:

1. Promote a progressive and open-minded approach among the public to help them understand the essence of the UCC. This requires educational programs and awareness campaigns.
2. Draft the Uniform Civil Code with the best interests of all religions in mind, ensuring it’s fair and equitable.
3. Establish a committee of distinguished legal experts to maintain consistency, taking care not to offend the sentiments of any particular community.
4. Given the sensitive nature of the matter, it’s preferable if the initiative for UCC comes from the concerned religious groups themselves.

Uniform Civil Code FAQs

What is the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India?

The Uniform Civil Code is a proposal to have a single set of civil laws applicable to all religious communities in India. It aims to promote equality and justice by ensuring that everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs, is treated equally under a common set of laws.

Where is the Uniform Civil Code mentioned in the Indian Constitution?

The Uniform Civil Code is mentioned as Article 44 in Part 4 of the Indian Constitution. It falls under the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) and encourages the government to work towards establishing a uniform civil code for all Indian citizens.

Why is the Uniform Civil Code a relevant topic for UPSC exams?

The Uniform Civil Code is relevant to the UPSC exams because it often appears in various papers, including GS-I (Indian Society), GS-II (Governance), and Essays. It's a significant and ongoing debate in Indian society and governance.

How does the Goa Civil Code differ from the proposed Uniform Civil Code?

Goa is the only state in India with a Uniform Civil Code, which is essentially a common family law. It promotes gender equality, mandates registration of births, marriages, and deaths, and places restrictions on polygamy for registered Muslim marriages in the state. However, there are some exceptions and drawbacks, like certain provisions allowing Hindu men to have more than one wife.

Why is the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code challenging?

Implementing the Uniform Civil Code is challenging due to the diverse religious and cultural beliefs in India. Creating a single set of laws that respects these beliefs and maintains equality for all citizens is a formidable task. The lack of political will and concerns about disrupting religious practices also contribute to the challenges.