Congress MP and General Secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh. File picture
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
The Congress on Wednesday (September 23, 2026) accused the Narendra Modi government of using the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as a political instrument rather than a legal reform, alleging that the manner in which it was being pursued could keep society in a state of “permanent polarisation.
The charge came after former Bombay High Court judge Justice R.C. Chavan resigned from the Maharashtra government’s seven-member UCC committee, citing differences over its functioning and the manner in which public feedback was being sought.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh, in a statement, said Justice Chavan’s resignation raised wider questions about the pursuit of separate UCCs by States.
He questioned whether the Constituent Assembly had envisaged every State framing its own version of a UCC.
A retired High Court judge has shown courage to resign from a committee set up by the Maharashtra government to prepare a uniform civil code for the state. Here is our statement on the non-uniform “Uniform” Civil Codes (UCC) the HM is trying to bulldoze through in every state.… pic.twitter.com/oxsyCrEmLx
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 23, 2026
Mr Ramesh also cited the 21st Law Commission’s 2018 Consultation Paper on Reform of Family Law, which concluded that a UCC was “neither necessary nor desirable at this stage” and advocated reform within existing family laws while preserving India’s legal and cultural diversity.
He said the UCCs being pursued by different States were therefore “non-uniform”, with variations in provisions, procedures, penalties and exemptions.
“For the Modi Government, the UCC is not an instrument of considered legal reform,” Mr. Ramesh said, alleging that it was being used for “division, disruption and diversion” and to “stoke prejudices”.
Later, when asked about the statement, he said, “The UCC ‘bulldozer’ is to permanently polarise society.” Justice Chavan, in his resignation letter, objected to reducing complex social questions to “yes or no” responses, saying he had understood that the exercise was intended to elicit public views and build consensus.
The Maharashtra committee was constituted in July under retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Desai. Justice Chavan resigned on September 19. The Congress’ criticism also follows Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that NDA-ruled States would introduce the UCC before the 2029 Lok Sabha election.
Published – September 23, 2026 10:44 am IST
