Indian government and state efforts on Uniform Civil Code

The Indian government has affirmed its commitment to implementing a nationwide Uniform Civil Code (UCC), citing Article 44 of the Constitution as its legal basis. Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal argued against limiting the code to specific states, noting that states such as Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh have already taken steps toward adoption.

At the state level, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended his government’s decision to draft a UCC, stating it is a constitutional responsibility under the Directive Principles of State Policy. Fadnavis accused opposition leaders of attempting to orchestrate protests.

The proposal has faced significant political opposition. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has alleged that the move is an attempt to impose a “Hindu Civil Code” on non-Hindus and aims to target Muslim religious identity by replacing Islamic marriage contracts with provisions based on the Hindu Marriage Act and the Indian Succession Act. Owaisi further argued that the move contradicts the intent of the Constitution’s architect, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.