Senior Congress leader Hussain Dalwai has submitted a memorandum to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, expressing concern over the composition of the committee formed to draft rules for the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. Dalwai’s memorandum highlights the absence of representation from Christian and Muslim communities on the seven-member panel, which is headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai.
The memorandum, submitted on Friday, July 10, 2026, urges the state government to engage in dialogue with representatives from all religions and communities, emphasizing that the UCC is a sensitive issue affecting the entire society. Dalwai stated that wider consultations would lend greater credibility and weight to the legislation, and suggestions and objections from various groups are crucial, especially for matters as sensitive as the UCC.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced the formation of the committee on Thursday, July 9, 2026, with the mandate to draft comprehensive rules for the UCC. The committee is expected to submit its report to the government within six months, with the aim of tabling a bill during the winter session of the state legislature in Nagpur. Other members of the committee include former Bombay High Court judges Justice R C Chavan and Justice S G Mehare, former Maharashtra chief secretary D K Jain, former advocate general Virendra Saraf, constitutional expert Ramesh Patange, and educationist Suvarna Rawal.
The formation of the UCC committee in Maharashtra follows similar initiatives in other states, with Uttarakhand being the first to implement a Uniform Civil Code after independence, followed by Gujarat and Assam. The move in Maharashtra aligns with the Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Constitution, which encourage states to consider implementing a UCC.
Dalwai’s concerns echo sentiments expressed by some opposition leaders who have called for greater inclusivity in the UCC drafting process. Earlier, the Maharashtra Congress had itself formed a nine-member committee to study the implications of the UCC, which also included Hussain Dalwai among its members. This move by the state government to form its own drafting committee has now brought the issue of representation to the forefront.
The Uniform Civil Code aims to create a common legal framework for all citizens, covering matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and succession, irrespective of their religion. While the government’s stated objective is to uphold constitutional values of equality and uniformity, the exclusion of minority representation from the drafting committee has become a point of contention for some political factions.
The Chenab Times News Desk