Aaditya Thackeray seeks merit-based debate on UCC; Eknath Shinde backs common law

The debate over the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code UCC gained momentum in Maharashtra with Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray calling for a discussion on the proposal based on its merits while Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde reiterated his support for a common civil law across the countryThe issue has surfaced amid discussions in the Maharashtra Assembly where legislators have been debating the legal social and administrative implications of introducing a Uniform Civil Code in the stateAaditya Thackeray seeks broader definition of uniformitySpeaking to reporters Aaditya Thackeray said the proposed Uniform Civil Code should be evaluated on its merits rather than through a political lens He also argued that the principle of uniformity should extend beyond personal laws and apply to governance and public administrationThe Uniform Civil Code should first discuss it based on its merits Secondly and most importantly there must be uniformity across all laws for instance if agencies like the ED or CBI are going behind someone we should examine how many individuals from the ruling party are targeted versus those from the oppositionthere needs to be uniformity there as well he saidThackeray further questioned whether uniform standards were being applied in political appointments and allocation of development fundsRight now if you take a corrupt individual and appoint them as CM or Deputy CM there should be uniformity too Thirdly there should be uniformity when it comes to development funds as well Thackeray addedShinde reiterates Shiv Senas longstanding supportResponding to the ongoing debate Eknath Shinde reaffirmed his partys support for the Uniform Civil Code and linked the demand to the ideological position of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb ThackerayBalasaheb Thackerays stance from the very beginning has been that there should be one law for the entire countryOur stance regarding the Uniform Civil Code is positive he saidShindes remarks underscored the ruling alliances support for examining the feasibility of implementing the UCC in MaharashtraIssue raised in Maharashtra AssemblyThe discussion comes after BJP MLA Devyani Pharande moved a notice under Rule 105 in the Maharashtra Assembly raising concerns related to womens safety and the implementation of the Triple Talaq law The notice also brought the issue of the Uniform Civil Code into focusDuring the debate members discussed whether a common civil framework could help ensure greater legal consistency across matters such as marriage divorce inheritance and family lawState government plans study on UCC implementationMaharashtra Minister Yogesh Kadam announced that the state government would constitute a onemember committee headed by a retired High Court judge to study the possible implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in MaharashtraThe committee is expected to examine legal constitutional and administrative aspects of the proposal before submitting its recommendations to the government Further decisions will be taken after the report is reviewedSeveral states move towards implementing UCCThe discussion in Maharashtra comes as several states have taken steps towards implementing a Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand became the first state to pass a UCC Bill in February 2024 Gujarat followed in March 2026 while Assam passed its own legislation in May this yearThese laws seek to establish a common civil framework governing matters such as marriage divorce succession and livein relationships irrespective of religionMeanwhile Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced that a Uniform Civil Code Bill will be introduced during the state Assemblys monsoon session next month signalling that the debate over a common civil law is likely to continue across several states in the coming months