Uniform Civil Code gets introduced in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha as a private member Bill. The Bill was introduced by BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena. Three motions were introduced to oppose the Bill but got outvoted.

After strong opposition from several parties, Union Minister Piyush Goyal argued that it was a member's legitimate right to raise an issue under the Directive Principles of the Constitution. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar then put the Bill to a voice vote.

CPM MP John Brittas pointed out that a Uniform Civil Code is neither necessary nor desirable. DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said the idea itself is against secularism. Samajwadi Party's RG Verma also opposed the Bill.

This is the first time that the Bill is being introduced in the Rajya Sabha. The BJP promised in its election manifesto that a UCC would be implemented in Gujarat. The UCC Bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha shortly after the landslide victory in Gujarat. It seeks to eliminate personal laws based on religion.

Meanwhile, the Muslim League had criticized the absence of Congress members from the House when the Bill was introduced. PV Abdul Wahab MP alleged that there was no strong opposition from Congress to the Bill being introduced in the Upper House.

Congress MPs came to the House only after the criticism. Congress MP Hanumanthaiah from Karnataka spoke against the Bill, saying that it destroys the essence of the country and that permission to present the Bill should be denied.