Madhya Pradesh eyes UCC rollout, invites public feedback

Madhya Pradesh has taken another step towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav urging citizens to actively participate in the consultation process by sharing their views and suggestions on the proposed legislation.
Speaking on the issue,Yadav said the state government is committed to introducing a Uniform Civil Code and has already initiated groundwork for its implementation. A high-level committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai has been constituted to examine various aspects of the proposed law and gather public feedback before submitting its recommendations.The committee, comprising legal experts and specialists from different fields, is travelling across districts and interacting with representatives of various religious and social communities to understand their views on the proposed framework. According to the Chief Minister, the consultation process is intended to ensure broad participation and build consensus before any final decision is taken. Yadav said the state is moving towards a common legal framework for matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance and adoption. He argued that legal uniformity would help strengthen equality before law and simplify civil procedures for citizens.
To facilitate public participation, the state government recently launched a dedicated online portal, **ucc.mp.gov.in**, through which citizens, social organisations and political groups can submit suggestions. The government has invited feedback until June 15, after which the committee will review the submissions while preparing its report. The Chief Minister noted that Madhya Pradesh is drawing lessons from states that have already initiated UCC-related reforms. He pointed to developments in Uttarakhand and Gujarat, which have introduced UCC frameworks, and said Madhya Pradesh intends to move forward after completing its consultation process. 
The state government's push comes amid a broader national debate over the Uniform Civil Code, one of the most discussed legal reform proposals in recent years. Article 44 of the Constitution, contained in the Directive Principles of State Policy, calls upon the state to endeavour to secure a uniform civil code for citizens across the country.Supporters of the UCC argue that a common set of civil laws governing personal matters would promote gender justice, ensure equal rights and remove legal disparities arising from religion-based personal laws. They contend that uniformity in areas such as marriage, divorce and inheritance would strengthen constitutional principles of equality.
Critics, however, have called for extensive consultations with religious groups, legal experts and civil society organisations before any framework is adopted. They maintain that India's social and cultural diversity requires a balanced approach that protects individual rights while respecting long-standing traditions and customs.With the committee expected to submit its recommendations after completing consultations, Madhya Pradesh's initiative is likely to be closely watched as part of the evolving national conversation on legal reform, governance and social policy.