With over four years having passed since the 21st Law Commission issued a consultation paper on ‘reform of family law’, the government Thursday said views were being sought afresh on the Uniform Civil Code by the 22nd Law Commission given its relevance and importance. “The 21st Law Commission of India had issued a consultation paper on ‘reform of family law’ on 31.08.2018, however, it had not submitted any report. Since more than four years of lapse from the date of issuance of the said consultation paper, the 22nd Law Commission decided to solicit views and ideas of the public at large and religious organisations on 14.06.2023, bearing in mind the relevance and importance of the subject matter and also various court orders on the subject of uniform civil code,” Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said in written replies to the Rajya Sabha. Responding to another question on modalities of the UCC, Meghwal said since the law panel was in the process of holding consultations, “the question of modalities does not accrue at this stage”. On the first day of the monsoon session, the Rajya Sabha saw four questions on the proposed uniform civil code including one from BJP MP from Karnataka Iranna Kadadi. Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s Vaiko, CPI(M) MP Elamaram Kareem and JD(U) MP Ramnath Thakur also sought details on the Commission’s intervention in the UCC debate. On June 14, the Commission headed by former Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Rituraj Awasthi invited public views on UCC in four weeks. On June 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for the UCC while addressing a rally in poll bound Madhya Pradesh. After receiving an overwhelming response, the Commission on July 14 extended the deadline by two weeks. The Indian Express had reported that the principles of gender, parity and equality before law are likely to shape the contours of the proposed UCC. Over the next few months, it is learnt that the Commission is likely to begin a nationwide public consultation and share detailed questionnaire with citizens on the issue. In August 2018, the 21st Law Commission had issued a consultation paper instead of a final report titled “Reforms of Family Law.” Stating that “cultural diversity cannot be compromised to the extent that our urge for uniformity itself becomes a reason for threat to the territorial integrity of the nation”, it did not move the debate on UCC.
