Our Bureau
New Delhi
India’s supreme court made a point for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) while hearing a petition against succession rights. It says current personal laws based on religion often leave women without equal rights in marriage, divorce, and inheritance. This came up during a hearing on Muslim women’s inheritance claims.
Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi led the bench. They noted that women from many communities face unfair treatment under these laws. “Personal laws deprive a large section of Indian women of their rights,” the court observed. It suggested the UCC as the best way forward to ensure fairness for all.
The case challenges rules in the Shariat Act of 1937, which give women smaller shares in property. The judges warned against scrapping old laws suddenly. “It could create a legal vacuum,” Chief Justice Kant said. He urged the petitioner to widen the plea and suggest practical fixes.
A UCC would mean one set of laws for marriage, divorce, adoption, and succession for every Indian, no matter the faith. Supporters say it promotes equality and ends gender bias in family matters. Past cases like Shah Bano in 1985 also pushed for this change, but progress has been slow.
The Constitution’s Article 44 calls UCC a key goal, but it’s not binding yet. Goa has such a code, showing it can work.
