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India is witnessing a transformative era under initiatives like One Nation, One Election; One Nation, One Education Policy; One Nation, One Ration Card, and One Nation, One Tax. The latest and most vital step in this journey is One Nation, One Law through the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). This vision aligns with the present government’s commitment to fostering a strong national identity while upholding the principles of equality and justice enshrined in our Indian Constitution. The trajectory toward homogenisation is not about suppressing diversity but about harmonizing it under a common legal framework that ensures every citizen, irrespective of religion is treated equally.
Critics may fear that this policy will leads to uniformity at the cost of federalism or cultural identity, but the government envisions a unity that strengthens diversity, not erases it. The question is not whether we can afford a UCC but how long we can afford to delay it when it promises gender justice, social harmony, and national integration. The article aruges that the UCC is not just a need of the hour but a cornerstone for building a united and progressive India.
Is the Uniform Civil Code a need of the hour?
The answer to the above question is a resounding yes. The government has long advocated for a UCC in keeping with Article 44 of the Constitution which directs the State to secure a uniform civil code for all citizens. Far from being a threat to democracy, as some suggest by quoting Pandit Nehru’s caution against mistaking uniformity for unity, the UCC embodies true unity by ensuring equal rights and opportunities for every Indian. It is a call to rise above divisive personal laws that perpetuate inequality, especially against women.
India’s civilisational mosaic is a strength but the persistence of outdated personal laws allowing polygamy, denying equal inheritance and varying divorce rights weakens our social fabric. The government’s vision is to modernise these laws, not to impose a majoritarian agenda. The delay in implementing the UCC during earlier tenures including in Gujarat reflects the need for consensus and careful preparation, not a lack of intent. Now, under strong leadership, the time has come to fulfill this promise, made to the people in 2014, to create a just society.
The debate over the UCC began in the Constituent Assembly where leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar supported it as essential for national integration. While some opposed it citing religious freedom, the government believes that true freedom lies in equality under the law, not in perpetuating discriminatory practices. The inclusion of a UCC in the Directive Principles was a visionary step and the government is committed to turning this vision into reality through inclusive dialogue and reform.
1. Upholding Equality and Religious Harmony
The UCC does not violate Article 25 which guarantees religious freedom but rather complements it by ensuring that no citizen’s rights are undermined by religious practices that conflict with constitutional values. Personal laws like Sharia, Hindu joint family systems, and Canon Law have served their communities but they often lag in providing gender justice. The 2016 Law Commission report, while noting the prevalence of personal laws, also highlighted the need for reform to address inequalities, a call the government answers with the UCC.
Tribal laws under Article 371(A-G) are respected and exemptions can be crafted to preserve cultural heritage as seen in the government’s approach to governance. The UCC is not a one-size-fits-all imposition but a flexible framework that adapts to India’s diversity while promoting unity.
2. Strengthening National Identity
The UCC reinforces India’s secular ethos by removing religion-based legal disparities, thereby fostering a shared national identity. Reforms like the abolition of Triple Talaq in 2019 demonstrate that religious practices can evolve to align with modern notions of justice, a model the UCC will extend to all communities.
3. Ensuring Fair and Inclusive Reform
The government rejects claims of having a majoritarian bias. The Hindu Code Bill of 1955 reformed Hindu laws and similar reforms are overdue for Muslim and Christian personal laws. The focus on Triple Talaq and polygamy reflects a commitment to gender justice and is not against minorities. Goa’s UCC with its exceptions is a work in progress and the government aims to learn from it to craft a truly equitable national code.
Issues like the Mitakshara system will also be addressed, ensuring comprehensive reform across all communities. The UCC is about fairness, not favoritism and the government has invited all stakeholders to participate in its design.
4. A Path to Social Stability
The UCC, far from causing unrest, will stabilise society by eliminating legal ambiguities that fuel disputes. The Shah Bano case (1985) exposed the flaws of religion-based laws and the subsequent reversal highlighted the need for a uniform approach. The government’s inclusive process, unlike past politically motivated decisions, will build consensus, preventing unrest and promoting harmony as seen in the successful rollout of the UCC in Uttarakhand in 2025.
5. Goa’s UCC: A Foundation to Build Upon
Goa’s civil code, inherited from Portuguese rule, is a pioneering example of uniformity, despite its limitations. The government acknowledges exceptions like polygamy for Muslims and plans to refine the model nationally, ensuring consistency with constitutional principles. Modernising Goa’s outdated laws will align them with the UCC’s goals of equality and justice.
6. Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code (UCC), 2025: A Bold Step Forward
The Uttarakhand UCC, 2025 is a landmark achievement unifying laws on marriage, divorce, and inheritance. It addresses concerns as follows:
a) Religious Freedom: Sections 4, 7, and 29 align religious practices with constitutional equality, not suppress them.
b) Federalism: Sections 2 and 48 respect state autonomy while advancing national unity.
c) Tribal Exemptions: Section 2(2) protects ST customs, proving flexibility.
d) Privacy: Sections 380, 385, and 387 ensure transparency in live-in relationships, aligning with the public interest.
e) Gender Justice: Sections 13 and 29 establish fair divorce and inheritance rights, enhancing women’s status.
f) Implementation: Sections 6, 48, and 391 streamline governance, minimising misuse.
The Uniform Civil Code is not a threat but a promise of equality, justice, and unity for India. It respects diversity by reforming outdated laws, ensuring gender justice through gradual, inclusive measures, and avoiding the pitfalls of past political missteps like the Shah Bano case’s reversal. Goa’s model, while imperfect offers lessons for a national UCC, and Uttarakhand’s success in 2025 proves its feasibility.
The government calls for a UCC that embraces India’s pluralistic spirit while fostering a common legal framework. True progress lies in uniting under one code of laws, ensuring justice, and building a stronger, more equitable nation.
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