APPLICATION OF UNIFORM CIVIL CODE THROUGH AN INCLUSIVE APPROACH

Abstract

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha election mentioned resolve for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) which has long featured on its agenda The issue is not novel for the BJP or for Indian politics: it has been at the core and spinoffs of political and legislative deliberations for well over one and half century. The BJP was the principal party in India to assurance the application of UCC if it were to be chosen to power. It may be a matter of days before the subject shoot ahead from the sequence of deliberations to real law as now BJP is at the helm of political power. However, is not a new debate? The crusade for the formation of a UCC for the nation is almost 180 years old. The cultural and legal fabric of India represents a unique blend of codified personal laws of Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Parsis. In the absence of a single statute book for all Indians which are acceptable to all religious communities who co-exist in India, many Indians believe that UCC is definitely desirable and would go a long way in consolidating and amalgamating the Indian nationhood. Ofcourse there are varied opinions which are on its timing and the method in which it should be comprehended. The political and academic leaders should try to find out agreement as an alternative of using it as a poignant issue to gain political benefit. The question is not of shielding the minority, or even stimulating national harmony, it is basically one of treating each human person with dignity, something which personal laws have so far futile to do.