Dehradun: The Uttarakhand High Court will hear a plea on October 15 challenging the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) that came into effect earlier this year. The petition, filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, argues that the law infringes on Muslim personal law and violates constitutional protections.
Senior advocate Raju Ramachandran, representing the petitioners, confirmed that the state government has filed its response, but the centre has delayed doing so. During the last hearing on September 23, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought more time to submit the reply. The bench of Chief Justice G Narendra and Justice Alok Mehta granted the request and adjourned the matter.
Kapil Sibal, appearing for Jamiat, described the law as unconstitutional. He argued that Entry 5 of List III does not permit states to enact a uniform code, and that the UCC undermines rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, 21, and 25 of the Constitution. He emphasized that the law interferes with religious practices, including provisions on family affairs and the abolition of iddat, a mandatory waiting period observed by Muslim women after the death of a husband.
The Dhami-led Uttarakhand government passed the UCC in 2024 and enforced it in January 2025. The legislation has faced strong opposition from political parties, rights activists, and civil society groups who argue it targets minority practices while being presented as a reform measure.
The upcoming hearing will be a key test of the legal and constitutional validity of the UCC, with implications for religious freedom and the balance of power between state and centre.
