In April 2025, the Law Commission submitted a draft for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to the Ministry of Law and Justice, igniting debates across the country. The proposed UCC seeks to replace personal laws based on religion with a common set of civil laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.
Supporters argue that a UCC ensures equality before law, particularly for women, and upholds the secular fabric of the Constitution. They cite Article 44 of the Directive Principles, which envisions a common civil code for all citizens.
However, critics — particularly from minority communities — see it as an infringement on religious freedom and cultural identity. Protests have erupted in Kerala, West Bengal, and parts of the Northeast. Several opposition parties have called for wider consultations.
The draft UCC includes progressive measures such as gender-neutral adoption laws, equal inheritance rights, and abolition of triple talaq across communities. It avoids religious references but could still affect deeply held customs.
As the Centre considers placing the draft before Parliament, it faces the challenge of balancing individual rights, religious diversity, and constitutional ideals. The path to a Uniform Civil Code may be long, but its debate is reshaping India’s legal and social discourse.
