Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has made a strong case for the introduction of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), asserting that residency in the state should be granted only to individuals who marry once. Speaking at a gathering in Bhopal, he contended that personal laws should be standardised, irrespective of religious affiliation.

Yadav questioned the rationale behind differing marriage laws for Hindus and Muslims, suggesting that if one individual, termed Ram, marries only once, there should not be allowances for another, termed Rahim, to enter into multiple marriages. He further emphasised that Muslim women deserve equal treatment, labelling them as “our sisters,” and declared that the legal framework would only support those who marry a single time.

Legislation Against Triple Talaq

The Chief Minister referenced the ban on instant triple talaq, stating, “If anyone utters ‘talaq’ three times, they will be detained and sent to jail. The era of triple talaq is over.” This statement aligns with his broader proposal that all citizens, regardless of their religion, should be subject to identical laws regarding marriage.

Yadav’s comments arise coincidentally as various BJP-led states are advocating for a UCC, which aims to unify personal laws surrounding marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption into a single legal framework. Notably, Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to initiate such legislation in February 2024, while Gujarat and Assam have also taken steps toward similar regulatory measures.

West Bengal, following its recent electoral support for the BJP, is now deliberating on the potential adoption of a UCC, which has further amplified discussions on the matter across the nation.

UCC Bill Planned for Legislative Assembly

Yadav’s advocacy for the UCC coincides with indications that his government is prepared to introduce a UCC Bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, set to commence on July 20. Earlier this week, while addressing a gathering in Indore, he reiterated that no separate laws should exist based on religious affiliation.

“When our country is unified, why should there be varied laws for different religions? If an individual named Ramchandra marries once, then it follows that another individual named Rahim should also be expected to marry only once,” he stated, reinforcing his argument for legal uniformity.

Committee Report Advances UCC Efforts

The impetus for the UCC’s adoption has been strengthened following the submission of a report by a committee established by the Madhya Pradesh government. Chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, the committee reviewed personal and family laws concerning marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, adoption, and live-in relationships.

Recommendations from the committee suggest that tribal communities should be excluded from the proposed code. Yadav noted that the committee engaged with diverse sections of society, gathering input from over 10 lakh citizens across various religions, social groups, and political entities.

In a pointed critique, Yadav accused the Congress party of narrowing the UCC dialogue to a “Hindu-Muslim prism,” suggesting that they have not participated meaningfully in the discussions. He claimed that Congress leaders failed to attend committee meetings or contribute their perspectives on the proposed legislation.

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