Overview
- The state formed a six-member high-level committee led by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prasad Desai on April 27 to prepare a draft UCC and submit a report within 60 days.
- On Monday, June 1, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the UCC "will soon be implemented" and launched a dedicated website to collect suggestions from citizens, religious groups and experts.
- The committee is touring districts to hold consultations with religious leaders, legal experts, social groups and citizens as it compiles views to shape the draft law.
- Officials say the government is reportedly planning to introduce a UCC bill in the Madhya Pradesh assembly before Deepavali, though the timetable is based on media reports and unnamed sources.
- Madhya Pradesh’s initiative follows UCC steps in Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam and could include measures seen elsewhere such as bans on polygamy, mandatory marriage registration and penalties for noncompliance that would alter marriage, divorce and inheritance rules and affect women’s legal rights.