Guwahati: A contentious private member’s bill that seeks to establish a panel to draught the Uniform Civil Code in India Bill, 2020 was tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Friday amid complaints from opposition parties.
MP Kirodi Lal Meena of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) introduced the legislation. During the private member’s business, he moved for permission to bring the Bill to establish the national inspection and investigation commission for the creation of a uniform civil code, its implementation across India, and for matters related thereto.
Opposition legislators from the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), and Trinamool Congress, however, protested against the bill’s presentation, claiming it would “destroy” the social fabric and unity in diversity that are prominent in the nation.
The law was opposed by three motions, but they were all defeated by a vote of 63 to 23.
The bill was subsequently placed to a voice vote by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, and it passed with 63 votes in favour and 23 votes against.
In the past, despite being scheduled for presentation, the Upper House did not take action on the Uniform Civil Code Bill. The Bill envisions a set of laws that will safeguard the civil liberties of all individuals regardless of their religious beliefs.