Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Approves Uniform Civil Code Bill, Excludes Tribals
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, which will be tabled in the state Assembly. This move follows Uttarakhand's UCC implementation and is significant as it covers marriage, live-in relationships, adoption, and inheritance, but excludes the tribal community.
Background
The Uniform Civil Code is a directive principle under Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, aiming to replace personal laws based on religious scriptures with a common set of laws governing all citizens. Uttarakhand became the first state to implement UCC in 2024. Madhya Pradesh is now the second state to propose such a bill.
Key facts
Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved the Uniform Civil Code Bill.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will table the bill in the Assembly.
The bill excludes the tribal community from its purview.
It covers aspects like marriage, live-in relationships, adoption, and inheritance.
This makes Madhya Pradesh the second state after Uttarakhand to propose a UCC.
The bill aims to unify personal laws across religions in the state.
Exclusion of tribals is likely due to their distinct customary laws and constitutional protections under Article 371(1).
Prelims pointers
- Uniform Civil Code (UCC) – Article 44 of Indian Constitution (Directive Principle).
- Madhya Pradesh – state in central India, capital Bhopal.
- Chief Minister – Mohan Yadav.
- Uttarakhand – first state to implement UCC in 2024.
- Article 371(1) – special provisions for Maharashtra and Gujarat (not MP), but tribal areas have customary protections.
- Tribal communities in MP – e.g., Gond, Bhil, etc.
Mains angles
- GS1 Society: Discuss the need for UCC in the context of gender justice and secularism.
- GS2 Polity: Examine the constitutional validity of state-level UCC bills and their impact on federalism.
- GS2 Governance: Analyze the exclusion of tribal communities from UCC – balancing uniform laws with cultural diversity.
- GS1 Social Justice: Evaluate the implications of UCC on minority rights and personal laws.