Last Updated:
The Uttarakhand approach, RSS argues, balances uniformity with regional sensitivity, making UCC adoption more achievable across diverse demographics
By supporting a gradual, region-specific approach, the RSS now aims to tackle potential resistance head-on. (PTI)
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has called for a phased, state-by-state rollout of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) following multiple internal meetings and deliberations over its implementation as proposed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during an election meeting in Jharkhand.
The BJP has promised to bring UCC in Jharkhand if voted to power, with the party mentioning it in their election manifesto as well. Since Shah’s announcement, UCC has taken centre stage in electoral politics this poll season.
The senior functionaries of the Sangh said they would urge the government to start with Uttarakhand’s draft as a practical model for India’s complex social landscape. This approach, the RSS argues, balances uniformity with regional sensitivity, making UCC adoption more achievable across diverse demographics.
Citing the draft UCC introduced in Uttarakhand as a model, a senior RSS functionary told News18, “The draft UCC, prepared by the panel for Uttarakhand, suits India’s current socio-political climate.”
Region-specific approach for UCC
The draft has addressed all possible issues, including marriage, inheritance and exemption of tribal communities. It does not touch any community’s social personal ritualisting or traditional laws except the ones that are akin to injustice. He further stressed on the need for tailored, region-specific adaptations to ensure smooth transition and acceptance.
By supporting a gradual, region-specific approach, the RSS now aims to tackle potential resistance head-on. “The Uttarakhand draft, in our view, provides a blueprint that respects local customs while inching toward a unified legal framework for personal matters. This phased strategy not only allows the government to refine UCC implementation based on state-level feedback but also mitigates backlash by tailoring reforms to each state’s unique social fabric,” said another senior RSS functionary who has worked on the possible implementation of UCC.
For the RSS, this is not merely about implementing a uniform code but about managing change within India’s federal structure. By promoting state-led UCC adoption, the organisation also emphasises on the need for cultural sensitivity and consensus, underlining that national uniformity should emerge naturally from regionally adaptable steps and not a one-size-fits-all mandate.
