What is the Uniform Civil Code promise in BJP’s Karnataka election manifesto?

The manifesto assures, “We will implement the UCC in Karnataka on the basis of the recommendations given by a high-level committee, which is to be constituted for the purpose.”

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had earlier said the southern state was seriously considering the move. Karnataka is incidentally the fourth state where the implementation of the UCC has been included in the BJP’s poll promises in recent months.

What is Uniform Civil Code?

Article 44 of the Indian Constitution states that the state “shall endeavor to secure to the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India”. More simply put, the UCC proposes to create and enforce a set of personal laws that would apply to all citizens. uniformly.

The UCC talks about a combination of personal laws – such as those governing marriage, divorce and succession. Under the current system, different religions are bound by different personal laws and different restrictions and exemptions. The implementation of UCC will remove all perceived ‘inequality’ and essentially bring all communities at par with each other. However, critics argue that the UCC would lead to undue interference in the affairs of religious minorities.

While the Directive Principles contained within the Constitution are not enforceable, many of the provisions listed under the DPSP have been enacted into laws over the past 75 years.

What do the critics in Karnataka have to say?

The Congress on Monday termed the BJP’s manifesto for the Karnataka Assembly polls as “fake” and a “lied BJP manifesto” and said people will vote the party out.

“The Uniform Civil Code appears to be a ploy to attract attention without any real intention of making a significant change. The people of Karnataka have had enough and will no longer allow the BJP to ruin the state.”

(with inputs from agencies)