Maharashtra Govt Moves Towards Uniform Civil Code, CM Fadnavis To Set Up Expert Panel

Published 23 June 2026 · politics

Maharashtra Govt Moves Towards Uniform Civil Code, CM Fadnavis To Set Up Expert Panel Reported By, Last Updated: June 23, 2026, 17:39 IST Minister of

Maharashtra Govt Moves Towards Uniform Civil Code, CM Fadnavis To Set Up Expert Panel Reported By, Last Updated: June 23, 2026, 17:39 IST Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has decided to constitute a committee headed by a retired High Court judge to prepare the draft Rapid Read Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. (File pic) The Mahayuti government on Tuesday indicated that Maharashtra could be the next state to move towards implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), with the government announcing plans to appoint an expert committee to prepare a draft framework for the law. Replying to a discussion in the Assembly, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has decided to constitute a committee headed by a retired High Court judge to prepare the draft. The government will initiate the process of implementing the UCC after receiving the committee’s report, he said.

Kadam asserted that the government is “100 per cent positive" about bringing a Uniform Civil Code in the state. He added that provisions aimed at addressing issues such as polygamy would be examined while drafting the legislation. The minister also maintained that the anti-triple talaq law is being implemented in Maharashtra. The issue was raised through a calling attention motion by BJP MLA Devyani Farande, who cited cases from Nashik involving Muslim women allegedly subjected to instant divorce, threats and harassment by their husbands. Referring to the 2019 law that criminalised triple talaq, Farande argued that its implementation on the ground remains inadequate. She recounted cases where women were allegedly divorced over the phone, threatened with circulation of private videos, assaulted, and left without financial support. Farande also pointed to practices in countries such as Pakistan, where permission from the first wife is required before a second marriage, to argue for stronger safeguards for women.

The discussion triggered sharp exchanges between treasury and opposition benches. NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Jayant Patil questioned the basis on which the motion was admitted, while Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar argued that the triple talaq law is a Central legislation and questioned its relevance in the state Assembly. NCP MLA Sana Malik said atrocities against women are not confined to one community and noted that Muslim personal laws are guided by religious principles. Her remarks drew strong objections from ruling alliance members, with BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar asserting that the country is governed by the Constitution, not by any religious text. Defending the government’s position, Kadam said 42 cases related to triple talaq were registered in 2024, leading to the arrest of 152 accused persons, while 39 cases were registered in 2025, resulting in action against 137 accused and 95 arrests. He insisted the debate was about justice and dignity for women, not religion, and stressed that any future UCC would not be directed against any particular faith.