Maharashtra Vows Uniform Civil Code: Gov't Pushes Common Law Amid Triple Talaq and Women Rights Debates

Maharashtra Vows Uniform Civil Code: Gov't Pushes Common Law Amid Triple Talaq and Women Rights Debates​

The Maharashtra government has declared a "100 per cent" commitment to introducing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The State committed during a legislative discussion that it is actively moving forward with the proposal. A committee, led by a retired High Court judge, has been constituted specifically to draft the UCC bill for implementation in the state.

The matter was raised following a calling attention motion brought by BJP MLA Devyani Farande. The motion referred to concerns raised by Muslim women who were allegedly affected by issues related to triple talaq and personal laws. This discussion triggered intense exchanges among members regarding various aspects of women's rights and religious practices in the state.

Focus on Triple Talaq and Police Action​

MLA Farande informed the Assembly that three Muslim women had contacted her seeking assistance over a period of one-and-a-half months. She detailed cases where police registered complaints against accused individuals. These included instances where one woman was threatened with obscene videos, and another's husband attempted an attack.

Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam responded to the concerns raised in the House. He confirmed that such reported incidents were not confined to Nashik but had been received from various parts of Maharashtra. Providing data, he stated that a total of 42 such complaints were found genuine in 2024.

Government Action and Judicial Commitments​

Kadam provided further details regarding law enforcement actions taken against these grievances. He confirmed that legal action had been initiated against 137 accused persons. Moreover, the government reported that 95 people were arrested during 2025 for related offenses.

Addressing the broader implications of personal laws, Kadam referenced the UCC implemented in Uttarakhand. The law in that state has completely banned polygamy and mandates imprisonment of up to seven years for violations. The committee working on the draft bill is currently reviewing these models as part of their work.

Significance of Uniform Civil Code (UCC)​

The UCC aims to establish a single, common set of personal laws applicable to all citizens, regardless of their religion. Presently, critical matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, and inheritance are governed by diverse personal laws based on different religious traditions across the country.

Uttarakhand successfully became the first state to enforce this comprehensive legal framework. This law covers marriage, divorce, and property succession while also making the registration of live-in relationships compulsory.

Comparison with Other States’ Legal Frameworks​

The push for a uniform civil code is part of a broader national legislative trend. The Assemblies in Gujarat and Assam have already cleared their respective UCC bills. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced that a similar bill will be introduced during the state Assembly's monsoon session next month, showing steady movement across several states.