Uniform Civil Code: A Path Towards Social Inclusion and Gender Equality

Abstract

Indian society is pluralistic by nature. The existence of various ethnic groups, cultural traditions, languages, religions, and other traits within a country or society is referred to as pluralism. India as it is understood in the modern period is composed of multiple groups with different beliefs, including multilingual, multicultural, and multireligious communities. India lacks a state-sanctioned religion because it is a secular nation. Nonetheless, the world's major religions are found in India. The four main religions are Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. People in India typically abide by their own personal laws, and these laws are applicable to them. In India, various personal laws are relevant to different religious groups. All of these personal laws have blatant inconsistencies when it comes to succession, marriage, adoption, maintenance, and divorce. Hindus, Muslims and Christians have their own set of beliefs and rules. Hindu law has been modernized and secularized by statutory enactments. But on the other hand, statutory enactments have failed to change the methodology of individuals and content of the religious beliefs. The Christians are abided by the Indian divorce act 1869, Christian marriage act 1872, and the Indian succession act 1925. The Parsi marriage act and divorce act 1936 are being followed by the Parsis. Therefore, in India people belonging to different religions follow their respective personal laws which may hamper equality among citizens. The segregation of rules and laws must not be on the basis on religion but on the basis of nationality. Hence all the citizens of the country must follow and abide by the same laws for which The Uniform Civil Code is a dire necessity.