Maharashtra to Draft Uniform Civil Code, Forms Committee in Two Weeks

The Maharashtra government announced on Friday that it will establish a committee within two weeks to draft legislation for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). State minister Yogesh Kadam had earlier informed the assembly that the UCC would be implemented in Maharashtra and a committee under a retired high court judge would be constituted to prepare the draft.

The Uniform Civil Code is a constitutional directive under Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, which urges the state to secure a uniform civil code for all citizens throughout the territory of India. The code aims to replace personal laws based on religious scriptures and customs with a common set of rules governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and other matters.

Currently, the UCC is implemented in only three Indian states: Uttarakhand, Goa, and Assam. Several other states, including Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, have also introduced bills on the matter. The move by Maharashtra aligns with the central government's push for a uniform code, though it remains a politically sensitive issue.

The committee's formation is a key step towards drafting the legislation, which will then be presented for debate and approval in the state assembly. The government has not yet specified the exact composition of the committee or its timeline for submitting the draft.