Uniform Civil Code: No uniformity in legal voices over states' power

While some argue that the Parliament is entrusted with enacting UCC, others point to states having the power to legislate on personal laws

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami earlier this week said the draft proposal for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was ready and the state government would come up with a final report on the matter in two months.

This poses the question whether states have the power to enact such a personal law. According to legal experts, the answer is not that simple. It depends on the interpretation of Article 44 of the Constitution, which says: “The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.”

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