New Delhi, Dec 9, 2022: Amidst protests by the Opposition, the private member’s bill on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. The bill was introduced by BJP member Kirodi Lal Meena.
A total of 63 members voted in support of the bill. Meanwhile, 23 votes were against it.
Three motions that opposed the Bill said that it would result in disintegration of the country and hurt its diverse culture, but were defeated through votes by 63-23.
The Uniform Civil Code seeks to do away with religion.
The Congress, Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and the DMK staged protests and the Biju Janata Dal walked out of the House. The UCC has been part of the BJP manifesto for many elections while the private member bill was pending but was not introduced.
The UCC is a proposed law to formulate and implement personal laws of citizens which would apply to all citizens regardless of their religion, gender or sexual orientation.
A Law Commission report stated that a Uniform Civil Code is not essential nor desirable, and CPI(M) MP John Brittas cited this report.
RG Verma of the Samajwadi Party disagreed with the law, claiming it violated constitutional restrictions.
The mere concept of a uniform civil code, as per DMK’s Tiruchi Siva, is in opposition to secularism.
