Despite protests from opposition parties, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena introduced the ‘Uniform Civil Code in India Bill 2020′ in the Upper House on Friday. The bill seeks to provide for the constitution of the National Inspection and Investigation Committee for the preparation of a uniform civil code. It was introduced after a division of votes.
Earlier, CPM, Muslim League, and Trinamool Congress members opposed BJP’s move to introduce a private bill when they sought permission to present the highly discussed bill during private members’ business. Meanwhile, MP PV Abdul Wahab said that the bill could only act as a provocation and therefore be withdrawn.
He added that the bill is put up for discussion when no Congress members are present in the Upper House. Following this, Congress MPs, including Jebi Mather, returned to the house. They also opposed the BJP’s move.
CPM MP John Brittas pointed out that a uniform civil code is neither necessary nor desirable per a Law Commission report.
Opposing MPs argued that the bill could “destroy” the social fabric and unity in diversity prevalent in the country.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar placed the bill to a voice vote and received a majority with 63 votes against 23. Following this, BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena introduced the ‘Uniform Civil Code in India Bill, 2020’ in the Upper House.
The uniform civil code proposes to formulate and implement personal laws that apply to all citizens regardless of their religion, sex, gender, and sexual orientation.
Discussion about this post