Is there a provision in Indian constitution for Uniform Civil Code? Explain the Pros and cons of the Uniform Civil Code.
The Uniform Civil Code proposes to replace the personal laws. It prohibits following any law based on the scriptures and customs. UCC provides a common set of laws governing every citizen.
The constitution has a provision for�Uniform Civil Code in Article 44 as a Directive Principle of State Policy. It states that��The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.�
Pros of UCC:
- Provide equal status to all citizens
- Promote gender parity
- Accommodate the aspirations of the young population
- Support the national integration
- Bypass the contentious issue of reform of existing personal laws
Cons of UCC:
- Practical difficulties due to diversity in India
- Perception of UCC as encroachment on religious freedom
- Interference of state in personal matters
- Interference of state in personal matters
- Sensitive and tough task
All Indian citizens are already equal before the court of law as the criminal laws and other civil laws (except personal laws) are same for all. With the implementation of Uniform Civil Code, all citizens will share the same set of personal laws.
It is practically tough to come up with a common and uniform set of rules for personal issues like marriage due to tremendous cultural diversity India across the religions, sects, castes, states etc. Considering a major opposition from Muslim community in India over this issue overlapping with controversies over beef, saffronization of school and college curriculum, love jihad, and the silence emanating from the top leadership on these controversies, there needs to be given sufficient time for instilling confidence in the community.