Fadnavis says Maharashtra will bring Uniform Civil Code, draft likely at Nagpur session

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is likely to be implemented in Maharashtra soon. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that a uniform civil law will be implemented in the state. He was speaking informally at a Diwali event held for the media at the official residence, where he outlined the government's next steps on the issue.

According to Fadnavis, the Uniform Civil Code has the Constitution's own sanction. He said implementing the law is the constitutional responsibility of every state. On the occasion, he also criticised the stand of the Opposition. He said the Constitution was framed by Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and that the uniform civil law is being implemented in keeping with its guidance.

The Chief Minister said work is currently under way on the UCC draft and the state government will soon take concrete steps in this direction.

It has been stated that the draft may be presented in the coming winter session and could also be approved immediately. The draft will be placed before both Houses, after which the formalities of turning it into law will be completed. The UCC could come into force in the state at the end of this year or early next year.

After the BJP came to power in Uttarakhand, the uniform civil law was implemented there on January 27, 2025. It became the first state in the country to implement the UCC. Other BJP-ruled states are now following the same path.

A seven-member committee has been formed to prepare the draft of the uniform civil law for the state. It is headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai. The committee is said to be likely to submit its report soon. Based on that report, the draft will be presented at the winter session in Nagpur and the law will be prepared.

The other members of the committee include former High Court judge R. C. Chavan and another former High Court judge, S. G. Mehre. Former Chief Secretary D. K. Jain and former Attorney General Birendra Saraf are also on it. Social worker and Padma Shri awardee Ramesh Patange and educationist Dr Suvarna Raval have also been included.

The government aims to bring the uniform civil law during the Nagpur session on the basis of the committee's report.