In a significant move, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced on Tuesday the formation of a five-member committee to draft the implementation framework for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. The committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai, will submit its recommendations within 45 days, following which the state government will decide on the next course of action. This announcement comes just days after Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to implement the UCC, raising questions about whether this is part of a larger political strategy by the ruling BJP.

The Gujarat UCC Committee and Its Objectives

The Gujarat government had initially approved the formation of this committee in 2022 to examine the feasibility of implementing UCC. Now, with Uttarakhand setting an example, Gujarat seems keen to follow. The panel includes senior IAS officer CL Meena, senior advocate RC Kodhekar, former vice-chancellor Dakshesh Thakar, and social activist Geetaben Shroff. According to Patel, the objective of the UCC is to ensure equal rights for all citizens irrespective of religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

The UCC primarily seeks to create a unified legal framework governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption. The BJP has long championed the idea of UCC, seeing that it aligns with the Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in Article 44 of the Constitution. However, its implementation is not without controversy, especially in states like Gujarat, which has a substantial Muslim (around 9%) and tribal (14%) population—communities historically apprehensive about the dilution of their personal laws and customs.

Uttarakhand: A Model or a Political Experiment?

On January 27, Uttarakhand became the first state to implement the UCC, introducing measures such as mandatory marriage registration, equal property rights for sons and daughters, and recognition of children from live-in relationships. The state government has even introduced regulations for live-in relationships, including a 16-page registration form and a certificate from a religious leader affirming a couple’s eligibility for marriage. The swift rollout of these regulations, despite opposition from religious and political groups, signals the BJP’s intent to make UCC a flagship policy ahead of the 2024 general elections.

The sudden acceleration of UCC discussions across BJP-led states raises important questions: Why now? The timing suggests a deliberate political maneuver. By championing UCC, the BJP seeks to consolidate its core support base while pushing an agenda that resonates with its vision of a uniform legal structure. Moreover, UCC serves as an attack to opposition parties that often preach minority rights. By presenting it as a means to ensure gender equality and uniformity in legal rights, the BJP is positioning itself as a party that upholds constitutional values while also addressing long-standing legal disparities.

Despite the BJP’s strong push, persist about how UCC might impact diverse cultural practices and religious customs. Critics argue that the move ignores India’s pluralistic traditions. In states like Gujarat, where tribal communities and Muslims have historically resisted such legal decisions, opposition is likely to be more supported.

The Gujarat committee has assured consultations with religious leaders, including those from the Muslim community, to address concerns. As Gujarat inches closer to drafting its UCC framework, the developments in the state will be closely watched. Will it follow the Uttarakhand model, or will it carve a unique path that accommodates the diversity within its borders? More importantly, will this wave of UCC reforms become a stepping stone for nationwide implementation, making it a decisive factor in the upcoming elections?