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A Private Member Bill for Uniform Civil Code Introduced in Rajya Sabha

A Private Member Bill for Uniform Civil Code Introduced in Rajya Sabha

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Manas Dasgupta

NEW DELHI, Dec 9: A day after the BJP received a massive mandate from the people in Gujarat, a party Member of Parliament from Rajasthan on Friday introduced in the Rajya Sabha a private member’s bill seeking Uniform Civil Code in the country amidst stiff opposition from the entire opposition.

The bill which provides for the constitution of the National Inspection and Investigation Committee for preparation of the Uniform Civil Code and its implementation throughout India, was introduced by Kirodi Mal Meena. The “Uniform Civil Code in India Bill, 2020” standing in the name of the member from Rajasthan, was in keeping with the promise the BJP incorporated in its manifesto for the Gujarat elections in which the BJP annexed 156 seats in a House of 182 reducing the opposition Congress and new entrant Aam Aadmi Party to virtual no entity.

The notices for the introduction of the uniform civil code bill was given earlier too but never a move made to actually introduce it. Though a private members’ bill cannot get though without the government support, Meena’s bill could be an indication that the ruling party is trying to fathom the public reaction to such a move ahead of the Parliamentary elections in early 2024. The BJP had in its 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto also promised the implementation of UCC if it came to power. The Uniform Civil Code if introduced in the country would do away with religion based personal laws.

Several Opposition members from the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), Trinamool Congress protested against the introduction of the Bill saying it would “destroy” the social fabric and unity in diversity that is prevalent in the country. In the face of the stiff objections from the opposition benches, the chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar put the issue to vote and was adopted by the upper house by 63 votes against 23 in the absence of may opposition members and was allowed to be introduced in the House.

After stiff opposition from several parties, Union Minister Piyush Goyal defended the introduction of the bill. “Am pained to see the comments made by members quoting (B.R) Ambedkar. It is the legitimate right of a member to raise an issue which is under the directive principles of the constitution, let this subject be debated in the House. At this stage to cast aspersions on the government, to try to criticise the bill at introduction stage is uncalled for, I would like that the bill be introduced,” Mr. Goyal said.

Any member can bring a private member’s bill, which is not a government legislation, on any subject. Four Bills are allowed per member in a session. Based on a ballot system, Bills are selected for introduction. Mr Meena’s Bill was selected in the ballot for today. Some 100 Private Member Bills are introduced every session, and they can be on any subject. After introduction, this Bill goes to the list of pending Bills. Another ballot system is then in place — If this Bill gets selected in it, it would be taken up for discussion in the coming sessions. Many of the private members’ bill may never see the light and get expired.

Opposing the introduction, many members argued that a bill with such wide ramifications on people’s lives cannot be introduced without wide public consultation with various communities. CPI(M) MP John Brittas referred to a Law Commission report, which said a Uniform Civil Code is neither necessary nor desirable. “Law minister should be aware of this, if he takes some time away from attacking the Supreme Court, it is against spirit of the constitution….this is supposed to be an uncivil code, we should not use a piece of legislation for polarisation in society and it is detrimental for the country, please withdraw the bill immediately,” Brittas urged the BJP member and the Chair.

DMK’s Tiruchi Siva said the very idea of Uniform Civil Code was opposed to secularism. BJP MP Harnath Singh Yadav gave a Zero Hour Notice in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the implementation of the Uniform Civil code in the country. V Sivadasan, CPI-M member from Kerala said, “The aim of this kind of bills is to ruin the unity of India. We should protect unity in diversity….India is not built by bricks and stones, it was built by the spirit of freedom fighters.”

AA Rahim (CPI-M) said India was a land of pluralism and the RSS and Sangh Parivar have been using this issue as a political tool. Samajwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav said the bill was against the principles of Constitution. “Muslims marry first cousins, is it possible in Hindus? Will you apply the code from this side or the other end? This will lead to disillusionment among the people,” Mr. Yadav said.

 

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