Muslims raise concerns over religious rights and the impact on personal laws across communities
RAIPUR — A fresh political and social debate has started in Chhattisgarh after the state government announced steps towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), following a similar move in Uttarakhand.
The government, led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, has approved the formation of a high-level committee to prepare a draft of the proposed law. The panel will be headed by former judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, who was also involved in preparing the UCC framework in Uttarakhand.
Officials said that once the committee submits its report, the draft will be placed before the Cabinet for approval and later introduced in the state assembly for passage.
The proposal has, however, triggered strong reactions from opposition parties and sections of society. The Congress has opposed the move, raising concerns about its possible impact on tribal communities and existing legal protections.
Congress leader Sushil Anand Shukla said, “If UCC is implemented in Chhattisgarh, it will harm tribal communities the most. Their constitutional rights must be protected.”
At the same time, concerns have also been voiced by members of the Muslim community, who fear that a common civil law could affect their religious practices and personal laws related to marriage, divorce and inheritance.
A community representative said, “Our personal laws are part of our faith. Any change without proper consultation will create fear and confusion among people.”
Currently, different communities in India follow their own personal laws in matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption and inheritance. The idea of UCC is to bring a common set of rules for all citizens, as mentioned under Article 44 of the Constitution.
Supporters of the move, including leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party, argue that UCC will promote equality and simplify legal processes. A party spokesperson said, “The committee will take views from all sections. There is no intention to harm any community.”
The government has also indicated that the committee may seek public feedback through a web portal before finalising its recommendations.
The development has added to the ongoing national discussion on UCC, with different groups expressing varying views on its impact on religious freedom, legal uniformity and minority rights.
As the process moves forward, all eyes will be on how the state balances legal reform with the concerns of diverse communities.
