New Delhi [India]: Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Tuesday expressed surprise that the Kerala Assembly had passed a resolution against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), for which he said even a draft had not yet been released.
“See, it’s surprising for everyone that on the first day of the Kerala Assembly instead of discussing the issue of rising price hike in the state, both the opposition and the ruling front decided to have a discussion on the UCC, on which even a draft has not come out,” Muraleedharan said.
“This discussion took place even as there is a major protest against the Speaker of the Kerala Assembly who denigrated Lord Ganesha the other day,” the minister said.
Kerala Legislative Assembly today unanimously passed a resolution against the Central government’s “unilateral and hasty” plan to implement UCC in the country.
“Kerala Legislative Assembly expresses concern and dismay at the Central government’s move to impose a Uniform Civil Code. It is the opinion of this House that the unilateral and hasty action by the Central Government would topple the Constitution’s secular character,” the resolution moved by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan read.
UCC is a common set of laws dealing with marriage, inheritance, adoption, and other matters that are not based on religion.
Article 44 of the Constitution states that the State shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India.
Making a strong case for the implementation of uniform civil laws across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the country cannot be run with “two laws” when the Constitution espouses equality for all.
The Law Commission of India had sought submissions from the public regarding suggestions on implementing the UCC in the country.
