Uniform Civil Code calls for making one law for India, which will be applicable to all religious communities in matters like marriage divorce, inheritance, adoption. The Uniform Civil Code comes under Article 44 of the Constitution, which states that India shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout all the states and union Territories.
The UCC aims to provide protection to vulnerable sections as envisaged by Ambedkar, including women and religious minorities, as well as promote nationalist fervour through unity. When this code is made, it will work to simplify the laws that are currently different on the basis of religious beliefs like Hindu Code Bill, Sharia law and others.
The code will unify complex laws around marriage ceremonies, inheritance, succession, adoption among others. Then the same civil law will apply to all citizens irrespective of their faith.
The implementation of Uniform Civil Code across the country will help in eliminating gender discrimination from the country. For example, according to different religions, inheritance, marriage etc. are male dominated. Even after seven decades of independence, women are still fighting for equality. In such a situation, uniform law will remain for all genders and castes. Formation of UCC will promote national integration.
The Preamble of our Constitution clearly states that India is a sovereign, socialist, secular state. But it is a matter to ponder whether the citizens of India are enjoying real secularism. Here even after decades of independence, different personal laws exist for different religions. In such a situation, UCC will work equally for people of all religions as the cornerstone of secularism.
Once UCC is made all over the country, India will have another social reform in this century. For example, in the Indian context, Muslim women are denied personal laws regarding marriage, divorce, etc. In contrast, women in various Muslim nations such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Morocco, etc. enjoy codified personal laws.
So after the enactment of UCC Indian women will also enjoy a codified personal law. Hence, there is sure to be another social reform across the country.
