AAP backs Uniform Civil Code, but wants govt to build consensus

The Aam Aadmi Party has said that it supports the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in principle, but demanded wide-range consultations with all stakeholders before its implementation. The party made its stand clear amid the BJP's strong push for the UCC with an eye on the 2024 general elections.

The government should hold extensive consultations on the proposal with all stakeholders, including political parties and non-political entities, AAP national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak said on Wednesday.

"We believe that on such issues we should go ahead with consensus. We believe that this (UCC) should be implemented only after there is a consensus among all the stakeholders," Pathak said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Tuesday raked up the issue, asking how the country can function with dual laws that govern personal matters.

"You tell me, in a home, how can there be one law for one member and another law for another member?" Modi said interacting with BJP workers at a function organised under the party's 'Mera Booth Sabse Majboot' campaign.

“Even the Supreme Court has advocated for a UCC, which will override personal laws of different religions, but those practising vote bank politics are opposing it,” Modi said batting for the UCC with less than a year left for the Lok Sabha polls.

The prime minister's remarks drew sharp reaction from the opposition parties who claimed Modi was making such remarks only to divert attention from the real issues like unemployment and Manipur violence.

The UCC has been one of the three key poll planks of the BJP for a long time with the other being the abrogation of Article 370 that had given special status to Jammu and Kashmir and construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

UCC refers to a common set of laws that are applicable to all the citizens of India that is not based on religion and dealing with marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption among other personal matters.

The Law Commission had on June 14 initiated a fresh consultation process on UCC by seeking views from stakeholders, including public and recognised religious organisations, on the politically sensitive issue.

With PTI inputs