Some opposition party leaders, including those from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have expressed in principle support for a uniform civil code. On the other hand, the Congress party has accused the government of pursuing the issue as a political ploy, indicating a lack of consensus among opposition parties
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for Uniform Civil Code, a parliamentary standing committee has called representatives of the Law Commission and the law ministry on July 3 on a recent notice issued by the law panel seeking views of stakeholders on the issue.
According to the schedule of the standing committee on law and personnel, it will hear the views of representatives of the law panel and legal affairs and legislative departments of the law ministry "on public notice issued by the Law Commission of India on June 14, 2023, inviting views from the various stakeholders on the Uniform Civil Code, under the subject 'Review of Personal Laws."
Till Tuesday evening, the law panel had received nearly 8.5 lakh responses on its public notice.
So far, some opposition parties leaders from parties like Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have extended support "in principle" for a uniform civil code and said the code should be brought in with a consensus after extensive consultations with stakeholders.The Congress alleged that the move was only a political ploy.
Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said his party will decide its stand on the UCC after the government clarifies certain things. "They are not in the mood to support the UCC.....so taking a decision on UCC without the cognizance of the Sikh community (its views) would not be appropriate," Pawar said.
Meanwhile, he pitched for giving reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies and urged the government to take up this issue before the UCC.
The NCP chief also said that it was also possible that the UCC issue was being raised to divert attention as there is resentment among the people about those who are in power.
This indicated that the opposition parties might not be on the same page on the issue, amid their ongoing efforts to forge opposition unity for Lok Sabha elections next year.