Kerala became the second state after Mizoram to pass a resolution against the Union’s move to enact Uniform Civil Code at the centre level.  On Monday 7 August Kerala assembly unanimously passed the resolution to stop the introduction of UCC in the state, If the centre wants to Implement the law. Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan moved the resolution in the house against the UCC implementation by pointing this out as a “unilateral and hasty” step taken by the Centre.

The opposition UDF (United Democratic Front) welcomed the move of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the House and proposed several changes and amendments as well. The CM took the proposed suggestions to his attention and read out the final script, which said that the state is concerned and horrified with the Centre’s move to impose UCC as it was a one-sided and speedy decision that would take away the secular character of the country. 

Vijayan claimed “that UCC is based on the grounds of Manusmriti more than the Indian Constitution and is a consciousness of the RSS and this has been made clear by the RSS from the days of Independence struggle. They are not trying to implement something which is written in the Constitution.”

In his speech, Vijayan said that in the Indian Constitution, the idea of common civil law is given in the directive principle of state policy and they are not mandatory. He also talked about Article 25 of the Constitution which guarantees the freedom of religion and includes the right to follow and practise religious personal rules. Hence implementing UCC would prohibit people from exercising their Fundamental Rights.

He pointed out that establishing a common civil code under Article 44 of the Indian Constitution is simply mentioned but a law like UCC should be implemented only after debates and discussions with the people. He said that the government will not implement this without citizens’ consideration.  He called the forcing of UCC a move against Secularism to attack the unity of the people and the nation as a whole and said that the Kerala assembly too shares this concern.

Earlier this year, the Mizoram state assembly also unanimously adopted a resolution protesting the implementation of UCC in the country. Recently, the Law Commission of India initiated a public consultation process on the matter and they received a total of 8.5 lakhs response in just two weeks from the citizens concerning suggestions for the implementation of the UCC. Some anonymous sources also suggest that the government will introduce something big by the end of this year.  Just 2 days ago Assam banned Polygamy by saying it is a feature of UCC and we are looking forward to helping the Union Government.