Maharashtra To Set Up Panel To Initiate Process For Uniform Civil Code

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced plans to constitute a one-member committee headed by a retired High Court judge to study the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. The announcement came amid a heated debate in the Legislative Assembly over the safety of Muslim women and the enforcement of the anti-Triple Talaq law. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam made the announcement during a discussion on instances of triple talaq reported from Nashik district.

The issue was raised by BJP MLA Devyani Pharande through a Calling Attention Motion. Mr. Kadam said a decision on implementing the UCC would be taken after the committee submits its report.

Raising the issue of atrocities against Muslim women and the alleged ineffective implementation of the anti-Triple Talaq law, Ms. Pharande cited the case of a Muslim woman from Nashik whose husband allegedly divorced her by pronouncing triple talaq over the phone. She claimed that such incidents were steadily increasing in the state and argued that Maharashtra should implement the UCC to ensure justice for Muslim women.

Ms. Pharande further alleged that many Muslim women continue to face mental and social harassment from their husbands and family members. In such circumstances, she said, the UCC was necessary to safeguard women's rights and ensure equal justice.

Participating in the discussion, NCP legislator Sana Malik questioned whether such atrocities were confined only to Muslim women. She also defended the provision for polygamy under Muslim personal law and asked whether only Muslim men practised polygamy, arguing that men from other communities also engaged in the practice.

Her remarks triggered a brief uproar in the House and drew strong objections from BJP legislators, particularly Atul Bhatkhalkar. Intervening in the debate, Mr. Bhatkhalkar asserted that the country is governed by the Constitution and not by any religious text. “The country cannot be run by the Quran. All citizens are subject to the same constitutional framework.,” he said.

Replying to the discussion, Mr. Kadam said the anti-Triple Talaq law would be strictly implemented in the state and that no woman would be allowed to face injustice. He said the government was treating incidents of injustice against Muslim women with utmost sensitivity and that the administration was working effectively to ensure justice for victims.

Mr. Kadam said the implementation of the law was aimed at ensuring equal justice for all citizens and that the government's policy was to provide equal justice to people of all religions.

Presenting data on triple talaq-related complaints, the minister informed the House that 42 cases were registered in the state in 2024 and all complaints were found to be genuine. Action was taken against 152 accused persons in these cases. In 2025, 39 cases were registered, action was taken against 137 accused persons, and 95 individuals were arrested.

Referring to the proposed UCC, Mr. Kadam said the state government had adopted a positive approach towards the matter and decided to constitute a committee headed by a retired High Court judge to prepare a draft, conduct a study and seek public feedback on the proposed code. “A decision on implementing the UCC in the state will be taken after the committee submits its report,” he told the House.

Addressing the issue of polygamy, Mr. Kadam said that once the UCC is implemented, uniform rules governing marriage would come into effect. Necessary provisions and restrictions relating to polygamy would also be considered at that stage.