Personal law will be an insult to the unity of the country, unification with the Uniform Civil Code

New Delhi, Dt
The Central Government has expressed its important views in the Delhi High Court regarding different personal laws in the country. The Center said that for citizens of different religions and denominations, various property and marriage laws are an insult to the unity of the country. At the same time, the central government insisted in the Delhi High Court that the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in the country would lead to the unification of India.
The Center had filed an affidavit in response to a petition filed in the Delhi High Court seeking implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country. After receiving the report of the Law Commission of the Central Government, the issue of preparation of UCC will be discussed with the concerned parties. The government said the issue is very important and sensitive. It requires in-depth study of various personal laws pertaining to different communities of the country.
The central government said in its affidavit that Article 7 (the same civil code) of the constitution separates religion from social relations and personal law. The affidavit, filed through Centre's lawyer Ajay Digpal, said that at present citizens of different religions and sects abide by different property and marriage laws, which is an insult to the unity of the country.
The Center said that after the 31st Law Commission examined various issues related to UCC in 2014, it had uploaded a discussion paper on amending family law on its website for wide discussion in its recommendations. Whenever a report of the Law Commission is received in this regard, the government will consult the various stakeholders involved in the case.
The government also said in its affidavit that the petition filed in the case was not admissible as it was a matter of policy to prepare the UCC. The decision on this can be made by the elected representatives of the people. The High Court cannot issue any guidelines in this case. In May 2016, the High Court had sought a reply from the Center on a petition filed by BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. The petition called for the formation of a Judicial Commission to create a UCC to promote national unity, gender equality, equality and respect for women.