Gujarat passes Uniform Civil Code Bill amid Opposition’s objections

The Gujarat Assembly on Tuesday passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill amid protests by the Opposition.

The legislation will need to be given assent by the governor to become a law. Once the law is enacted, Gujarat will become the second state after Uttarakhand to implement the uniform civil code.

Congress MLAs walked out of the House before the bill was passed, The Indian Express reported.

The Uniform Civil Code refers to a common set of laws governing marriage, divorce, succession and adoption for all citizens. Currently, such personal affairs of different religious and tribal groups are based on community-specific laws, largely derived from religious scripture.

The bill passed by the Gujarat Assembly also introduces a common legal framework governing related matters such as live-in relationships. The legislation will not apply to all members of Scheduled Tribes or groups whose customary rights are protected under the Constitution.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that the code will “reject any policy or custom of division or discrimination among citizens” based on their religion or caste. The code has adopted the principles of equality, he was quoted as saying, adding that it reflects “the expectations, aspirations and desires of the citizens of Gujarat for equal justice”.

Patel said that “saving girls from cases such as Shradhha Walkar is part of our duty”....

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