IS UNIFORM CIVIL CODE GOOD OR BAD?

Currently the Indian Constitution accounts for different rights and mandates for
different communities, especially based on religion.The current status of separate
codes is largely observed between Islam and Hinduism, which is very intuitive given
the history and demographucs of India. Muslims in India are governed by the Sharia
board for the Civil code of conduct while all other religions have a separate
mandate. Polygamy is banned for Hindus while not for Muslims. Hindus can create a
Hindu Undivided Family, while Muslims cannot. These differences have persisted
despite Secularism, a foundation principle of the Constitution. These differences
exist mainly as an extension of the British rules and their relevance in society as
observed by the drafting commitee. However, given the modernisation and
homogenisation of society, the relevance of separate mandates is contentious.

A Uniform Civil Code would lead to a reduction in social friction among religious
groups. Same set of rules governing all sections of the society would create a
sense of satisfaction and fairness among the citizens. For example, instances like
the Sabrimala Case, entry of women to Mosque case will reduce significantly because
no religious group could be pitched against the other, for the same instance would
be challenged to them as well. This would also de-root the demagouges and
polititions who weponise religion and the differences to fulfil their interests.

One might say that this would eleminate the space for the social and cultural
principles of religions in India, but the societal peace and stability are too much
to be compromised for these principles, when in reallity they can anyways be
preserved as the character of the religion is something that is not tampered with
and rather conserved.

A Uniform Civil Code will not just extend the growth and development opportunities
available to one religion to all religions but also discard the irrelevant and old
norms which inhibit progress and lead to conservatism.