UCC – Law Commission of India Reconsiders to Solicit Views of Public & Religious Organizations

On the Uniform Civil Code, the 22nd Law Commission of India has decided again to invite views, opinions, and suggestions of the public as well as recognized religious organizations to a great extent. This is in view of the fact the consultation paper issued by the previous Law Commission on the subject and it is more than three years old.

In 2018, the Law Commission of India released a Consultation Paper on ‘Reform of Family Law’, in which it stated that “forming a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage”.

Since the consultation paper is more than three years old, former Karnataka High Court Chief Justice and the head of the present Law Commission, Ritu Raj Awasthi has decided to solicit the views, suggestions, and opinions of stakeholders afresh.

Through a public notice, the previous Law Commission stated:

“Initially, the 21st Law Commission of India had examined the subject on Uniform Civil Code and solicited the views of all the stakeholders through its appeal along with a questionnaire dated 07.10.2016 and further public appeals/notices dated 19.03.2018, 27.03.2018, and 10.04.2018. Pursuant to the same, overwhelming responses have been received by the Commission. The 21st Law Commission has issued the consultation paper on “Reforms of Family Law” on 31.08.2018. Since more than three years have been lapsed from the date of issuance of the said Consultation Paper, bearing in mind the relevance and importance of the subject and also the various Court orders on the subject, the 22nd Law Commission of India considered it expedient to deliberate fresh over the subject.

Accordingly, the 22nd Law Commission of India decided again to solicit views and ideas of the public at large and recognized religious organizations about the Uniform Civil Code.”

Interested and Willing people may present their views or opinions within a period of 30 days from the date of Notice by dropping a mail at membersecretary-lci@gov.in to the Law Commission of India. The concerned stakeholders have the flexibility to make their submissions in the form of working papers, consultation, discussion, etc. on any issue falling under the Uniform Civil Code to the “Member Secretary, Law Commission of India, 4th Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi.” If required, Commission may call upon any individual or organization in order to have a personal hearing or discussion.

Source: https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/uniform-civil-code-law-commission-of-india-decides-again-to-solicit-views-of-public-religious-organizations-230648