Raipur. In its Central Governing Council meet in Raipur, Vishva Hindu Parishad welcomes the reference on the ‘Uniform Civil Code’to Law Commission of India. Alok Kumar, Working President of VHP said that it is a matter of satisfaction that the Commission has invited views from all stake-holders on this subject. The UCC should be enacted after obtaining and considering suggestions of all shades of Bhartiya Society soon.
He said that Article 44 of the Constitution ‘directs’ all Governments “to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India”.
He said that it is a matter of regret that the MPs and MLAs who take oath of “bearing true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India” have in these 73 years of the Constitution failed to bring UCC for all citizens of Bharat.
The VHP leader also said that the Supreme Court of India in the case of Sarla Mudgal emphasized the need to enact the UCC at the earliest. Many High Courts have repeatedly insisted upon the necessity of UCC. The Court reminded that under Article 51A, it is the Fundamental Duty of all citizens “to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious diversities”.
In Bharat, all citizens are governed by common laws including criminal Laws, property, contract and commercial laws. There is no reason as to why the family laws should remain the only exception, he added.
It cannot be disputed that the personal laws of a religious community seriously violate the dignity, equality and other rights of the women. Their provisions about polygamy, divorce and successions are some 1400 years behind the modern times. Such practices breach the rights of women granted by the Constitution. Similarly, the rights of children do also need to be protected under the UCC.
He expressed hope that the Law Commission shall prepare the draft of UCC at an early date synthesizing good practices from various sections of the Society and in accord with the Constitutional values.
The VHP looks forward to the expeditious enactment of UCC for all citizens of Bharat.
