Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Wednesday constituted a seven-member committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to prepare draft legislation for implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state, marking a significant step towards fulfilling a key promise of the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
The committee, as reported by HT, has been tasked with examining existing personal laws, consulting stakeholders and legal experts, and preparing a draft UCC Bill for the state government. The proposed legislation is expected to deal with civil matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and succession, with the aim of creating a common legal framework applicable to all citizens.
According to the government notification, the panel will be chaired by Justice Desai, who had earlier headed the committee that drafted the Uniform Civil Code for Uttarakhand. Other members include legal experts, retired bureaucrats and academicians entrusted with studying constitutional, legal and social aspects before finalising the draft.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the formation of the committee demonstrates the state’s commitment to implementing a Uniform Civil Code in line with constitutional principles. The government expects the committee to submit its recommendations after extensive consultations, following which the draft legislation may be introduced in the state legislature.
The move comes weeks after the Maharashtra government announced its intention to enact a UCC and follows similar initiatives undertaken by states including Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
The Uniform Civil Code remains a politically significant issue, with supporters arguing that it promotes equality before the law by providing a common set of civil laws for all citizens, while critics contend that it requires wider consultation to safeguard the country’s religious and cultural diversity.
