Uniform Civil Code : Law Commission sends questions to gauge public opinion

The Times of India reports that the Law Commission has sent out a  list of 16 questions to gauge public opinion, seeking opinions whether to ban or regulate polygamy, thus ending the practice of Maitri-Karar which is practiced in Gujarat despite being outlawed, whether to abolish triple talaq or retain in it custom with legal sanctity or retain it with amendments, and whether the two-year waiting period for finalisation of divorce among Christians is a problem for women.

"It took us two months to frame the questions keeping in mind prevailing customs and practices in different religions to elicit meaningful responses from the public," Justice B S Chauhan, chairman of the Law Commission, told TOI.

"Family law reforms has to view women's rights as an end in itself rather than a matter of constitutional provisions, religious rights and political debate alone," he said.

The Commission has fixed a 45-day time limit for receiving responses from the general public and stake-holders.

"The aim is to introduce family law reforms in the most integrative manner without compromising the diversity and plurality that constitutes the core of India's social fabric," Justice Chauhan said.