Bengaluru rights groups raise concerns over Uniform Civil Code

They also questioned the rationale for trying to pass the UCC when the Women's Reservation Bill had not been passed.

The group also raised procedural issues as the fact that there had not been wider consultations with stakeholders such as women's, Dalit, Adivasi and LGBT groups. (Representational image)

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Various rights groups and activists in Bengaluru have raised concerns over the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and whether it would achieve gender justice in the country.

At a press meeting Thursday, they suggested that instead of UCC, a law related to gender justice ought to be pursued. They also raised concerns over the fact that as far as the proposed UCC is concerned, no proper draft had been released that would enable those affected to give informed suggestions.

The group also raised procedural issues as the fact that there had not been wider consultations with stakeholders such as women’s, Dalit, Adivasi and LGBT groups as well as statutory bodies such as the women’s and Human Rights Commissions, but only with religious organisations.

They also said the previous Law Commission had in a 2018 consultation paper concluded that “formulating a UCC is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage”.

Also read | Uniform Civil Code: How the BJP, RSS position has changed since Independence

They also questioned the rationale for trying to pass the UCC when the Women’s Reservation Bill had not been passed.

The activists have submitted a letter in response to the Law Commission notice inviting inputs on UCC, suggesting principles that could be used in a Gender Equality Code, and expressing their concerns.

The letter was signed by 132 activists and human rights groups such as the Sadhana Mahila Sangha, the Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum, the Safai Karmchari, Kavalu Samiti, Bahutva Karnataka, and others.

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