UCC opinionGovt's diversion tactic: Cong

Press Trust of India

New Delhi

The Congress on Thursday said the Law Commission's latest attempt to seek fresh public opinion on a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) represents the Narendra Modi government's desperation for continuing with its agenda of polarisation and diversion from its failures.

In a statement, Congress general secretary (communications ) Jairam Ramesh said it is strange thatm the Law Commis sion is seeking a fresh reference when it acknowledges that its predecessor, the 21st Law Commission, had published a consultation paper on the subject in August 2018.

Ramesh said no reasons have been given by the Law Commission on why the subject is being revisited except for vague references to "the relevance and importance of the subject and also, various court orders".

"The real reason is that the 21st Law Commission after carrying out a detailed and comprehensive review of the subject observed that it is 'neither necessary nor desirable at this stage' to have a Uniform Civil Code. "This latest attempt represents the Modi government’s desperation for a legitimate justification of its continuing agenda of polarisation and diversion from its glaring failures," he said.

The Congress leader said in a press note on June 14, the 22nd Law Commission of India notified its intention to examine various aspects of a UCC. This was being done, the press note clarified, on a reference sent by the Ministry of L a w and Justice, Ramesh noted.

He also cited what the 21st Law Commission, appointed by the Modi government itself, had said in paragraph 1.15 of its 182- page "Consultation Paper on Reform of Family Law" submitted on August 31, 2018.

"While diversity of Indian culture can and should be celebrated, specific groups or weaker sections of society must not be disprivileged in the process. Resolution o f t h i s conflict does not mean abolition of all differences. This commission has therefore dealt with laws that are discriminatory rather than providing a uniform civil code, which is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage.