The extension gives citizens more time to submit objections and suggestions
MUMBAI — The Maharashtra government has extended the deadline for submitting objections and suggestions on the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to 15 December, giving citizens an additional month to share their views with the state government.
The revised deadline has been displayed on the government’s UCC consultation portal. The extension follows demands from organisations campaigning to raise awareness about the proposed code, although the government has not issued a Government Resolution (GR) formally announcing the decision, according to representatives involved in the campaign.
Members of these organisations said they had been waiting for an official notification after seeking an extension. The absence of a GR initially created uncertainty over whether the deadline had actually been changed. They were subsequently informed that 15 December was the revised date displayed on the portal.
The development also enabled campaigners to locate the office of the UCC committee, which had been difficult to find on Thursday. The office is situated on the second floor of the Old Custom House in Fort, Mumbai, near Room No. 202.
On Friday afternoon, a delegation of Muslim religious scholars, accompanied by Raza Academy president Al-Haj Muhammad Saeed Noori, visited the office and submitted a memorandum to a staff member named Mayur.
The delegation included Maulana Khalilur Rahman Noori and Maulana Amanullah Raza, among others. The delegation was informed that the committee’s chairperson was not present.
Through the memorandum, the delegation demanded that the deadline be extended by another 100 days to allow people more time to submit their objections and suggestions.
The memorandum also reiterated the delegation’s opposition to the proposed UCC, describing the government’s move as unconstitutional and contrary to the rights and freedoms guaranteed to citizens under the Constitution.
It urged the Maharashtra government not to implement the proposed code or take any steps that could interfere with Sharia or deprive any community of its rights.
Meanwhile, Maulana Mahmood Daryabadi, a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, had also drawn attention to the extension of the consultation deadline.
Speaking to the media, he said he had learnt about the extension two days earlier. After seeing 15 December displayed on the portal, he had sent messages to inform those concerned and members of the public.
He urged people to use the additional time to submit their views.
“People should make the most of this opportunity by scanning the QR code and sending as many opinions and suggestions as possible,” he said.
