Gujarat Forms Special Committee to Study Implementation of Uniform Civil Code

Gandhinagar- The Gujarat government has established a special committee, headed by a former judge, to examine and evaluate the potential implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. This development marks a significant step as Gujarat positions itself to potentially become the second state after Uttarakhand to adopt UCC. The committee will prepare a detailed report that will guide the government's future actions, with the state cabinet set to review the findings before making any final decisions.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi are scheduled to hold a rare joint press briefing to outline Gujarat's roadmap for UCC implementation. The press conference is expected to provide crucial details about the state's approach to this significant legal reform. If implemented, the UCC would replace the current system of religion-based personal laws with a unified legal framework governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and maintenance for all citizens.

The UCC, rooted in Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, aims to establish the principle of 'one nation, one law.' Currently, Goa remains the only state with an existing UCC, inherited from Portuguese colonial law, while Uttarakhand made history in 2024 by becoming the first state to implement its own version. The proposed code would standardize various personal laws, including marriage age, registration processes, divorce procedures, inheritance rights, and adoption laws, while also addressing practices like polygamy.