Law Minister underscores implementation of UCC as new Govt’s priority

The newly sworn-in Union government has reiterated its commitment to implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), an agenda point long championed by the ruling BJP.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal announced the government’s priority in implementing the UCC, a core ideological plank for the BJP, reflecting its vision of a cohesive legal framework transcending religious boundaries.

This legislative measure aims to create a unified set of laws governing marriage, divorce, succession, and adoption for all Indian citizens, replacing the current system where personal laws vary according to religious and tribal affiliations. Presently, such uniformity exists only in the states of Uttarakhand and Goa.

In May, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured that the UCC would be implemented nationwide within the next five years if the BJP retained power in the Lok Sabha elections.

Despite the government's clear stance, the implementation process is expected to be complex and contentious. Key ally Janata Dal (United) has emphasized the need for broad-based consultations involving all stakeholders, including state chief ministers, political parties, and community leaders, before finalizing the UCC draft.

In addition to the UCC, the government is also poised to address the long-pending Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) for judicial appointments. This set of rules, jointly framed by the government and judiciary, outlines the process for appointing, elevating, and transferring judges in the High Court and Supreme Court.

The need for an updated MoP was highlighted by a Supreme Court constitution bench in 2014, which called for restructuring the procedure after striking down the National Judicial Appointments Commission Act.