Law panel to go slow on Uniform Civil Code

The Law Commission has decided to “go slow” on its report on the Uniform Civil Code as it will await the Supreme Court verdict on triple talaq, said highly placed sources in the panel.

The law panel, which advises the government on complex legal issues, has decided to await the verdict of the apex court’s Constitution Bench, before involving various stakeholders for a discussion to complete its report on the common code.

“The Supreme Court is likely to explain what personal law is. It is also likely to delve into the issue of religious faith and religious practice. Till the time the judgement is out, we have decided to go slow on the report on civil code,” the source said.

Guideline

The Commission believes the verdict will provide a guideline to the panel in drafting its report. “Once the roadmap is set, we will start consultations with stakeholders,” the source said.

The apex court had on Monday made it clear that it will keep open the issues of polygamy and ‘nikah halala’ among Muslims, for adjudication in the future.

A five-judge Constitution Bench had said: “It may not be possible to deal with all the three issues in the limited time we have. We will keep them pending for future.”

The apex court also said it will only deal with the issue of triple talaq, that too if it is fundamental to Islam.

Indicating a need for wider consultation before taking a call on a Uniform Civil Code, the government had in June 2016 asked the Law Commission to examine the issue.

Implementation of a common code is part of the BJP’s election manifesto.

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