The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Committee led by retired Justice Ranjana Desai held its first meeting in Gandhinagar on Tuesday. 

At the meeting, Justice Desai appealed to the residents of Gujarat to submit their suggestions regarding the UCC. The term to submit a report was extended by 45 days.

She stated that before implementing the UCC in the state, residents of Gujarat, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, social groups and communities, religious institutions, and political parties, as well as organisations based in the state, can present their suggestions and opinions on the UCC.  

Members of the Legislative Assembly have also sought exemption for the tribal community from the UCC. MLA Imran Khedawala alleged in his letter to the committee that one of the representatives in the minority delegation invited for discussion has a criminal history.

Khedawala also added that this decision of the government will directly affect 6.5 million minorities in Gujarat. So, he requested that all leaders of the minority community be heard.

An online portal (http://uccgujarat.in) has been launched for suggestions and opinions of the public. It can also be sent by post to Block No 1, A-Wing, 6th Floor, Karmyogi Bhavan, Sector-10A, Gandhinagar by March 24, 2025.  

The committee held discussions with representatives of government commissions, religious institutions, and political parties in the state to gather their suggestions and opinions.  

The government's high-level committee led by retired Justice Ranjana Desai will examine the need for a Uniform Civil Code in the state and draft the code. The committee includes C L Meena, R C Kodekar, Dakshesh Thakar, and Geetaben Shroff as members.

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Gujarat UCC panel holds meeting at Gujarat Bhavan in New Delhi