ABSTRACT
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC), foreseen in Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, aspires to a uniform body of personal laws to provide for equality, gender justice, and national integration. In a secular democracy, personal laws must conform to constitutional precepts, rather than religious laws, according to advocates, especially to safeguard women’s rights. Nonetheless, the UCC has been met with much resistance, particularly from minority groups, who perceive it as undermining cultural and religious sovereignty. The UCC debate is also criticized by opponents for politicization, arguing that political players distort the debate to polarize voters instead of driving meaningful reforms. Politicization has made constructive dialogue difficult. The debate on the UCC articulates a multidimensional conflict between cultural diversity and global human rights. A better option is to pursue a rights-based, consultative redesign of personal laws with broad representation – particularly of marginalized women. That would build a civil code supportive of constitutional values but sensitive to India’s diversity.
Ishita, Ishita, Uniform Civil Code: Constitutional Promise or Political Agenda? (June 1, 2025).
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