A petition has been filed in the Gujarat High Court challenging the constitution of a state committee formed to assess the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), citing the absence of representatives from minority communities. The plea, brought forward by Surat resident Abdul Vahab Sopariwala, argues that the committee’s current makeup violates fundamental rights and fails to reflect Gujarat’s diverse religious landscape.
In February, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the establishment of the five-member panel tasked with evaluating the necessity of the UCC and drafting potential legislation. However, Sopariwala’s petition highlights a significant oversight: no members from minority religious groups are included, raising concerns over the fairness and inclusivity of the deliberations.
The case was presented before Justice Aniruddha P. Mayee and is slated for a follow-up hearing on May 5. Advocate General Kamal Trivedi will represent the state government, while attorney Zamir Shaikh stands for Sopariwala.
The petitioner asserts that such an omission not only disregards the cultural and religious plurality of the state but also infringes on constitutional rights under Articles 14, 15, and 25, which safeguard equality, prohibit discrimination, and ensure freedom of religion, respectively.
Sopariwala initially sought to resolve the issue through a direct appeal to the Chief Minister on March 16. With no satisfactory response, he escalated the matter to the judiciary, urging the court to mandate a reformation of the committee to include knowledgeable representatives from all affected parties and engage in a comprehensive consultative process with all communities before advancing any UCC proposals.
The committee in question is chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Desai and includes figures such as retired senior IAS officer C L Meena, advocate R C Kodekar, former Vice Chancellor Dakshesh Thakar, and social activist Geetaben Shroff.
