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The political debate has intensified regarding the proposed Uniform Civil Code in Chhattisgarh. Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel strongly opposed UCC on Saturday. He said that if it is implemented in the state, the tribal community may suffer the most loss.

Talking to journalists, Baghel said that even as the Chief Minister, he has expressed his support on this issue. He said that even then I had said that the tribals would suffer the most if UCC is implemented. It should not happen. This comment of Baghel has come at a time when the high level committee constituted by the Chhattisgarh government regarding UCC has started the process of taking opinions from people and various organizations across the state.

Committee gathering public opinion on UCC

UCC committee member Shatrughan Singh said a day earlier i.e. on Friday that the high level committee started a state-wide public relations and dialogue program. She is visiting different areas and taking opinions of different sections of people including local leaders, political parties, religious representatives and institutions. According to Shatrughan, the government has constituted a high-level committee to review the UCC and prepare its possible draft. In the initial phase, the committee is seeking the views of heads and deputy heads of various institutions, representatives of political parties and religious leaders.

He said that the committee is considering the suggestions and objections received from different parties, after which the form of the possible draft of UCC will be decided keeping in mind the social and local conditions of Chhattisgarh.

What is the UCC plan of Chhattisgarh government?

In April, the state government had taken a big step towards implementing UCC in Chhattisgarh. The decision to start the UCC process was taken in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai. The government approved setting up a high-level committee under the chairmanship of retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to draft the UCC. Along with this, with the aim of strengthening the economic condition of women, 50 percent reduction in property registration fees was also announced.

Legal structure can change from marriage to inheritance

The purpose of the Uniform Civil Code is to create a uniform legal system for rules to marriage, divorce, inheritance and family matters in place of personal laws applicable in different religions. The state government argues that this can make the legal process more transparent and simple and will help in ensuring equal rights to all citizens. In particular, the government has talked about strengthening the rights of women and their legal protection.

However, many questions are being raised regarding UCC in a tribal dominated and socially diverse state like Chhattisgarh. Discussions are ongoing regarding its possible impact on the traditional customs, social systems and customary laws of tribal communities.

Debate on tribal rights important

After Bhupesh Baghel's protest, the political debate regarding UCC is likely to intensify further. On the other hand, the committee says that before preparing the final draft, the views of different communities and institutions of the state will be heard. At present, the process of gathering opinions and suggestions is going on from the committee. Only after considering all these suggestions, progress will be made towards finalizing the possible form of UCC in Chhattisgarh.