Maharashtra UCC Panel Resignation
Justice R.C. Chavan resigns from Maharashtra Uniform Civil Code committee citing procedural flaws.
Anonymous
Key Points
1
Chavan said the questionnaire was meant to address specific issues including late marriages, infertility, unstable marriages and mechanisms for resolving disputes, but alleged that members’ suggestions on these topics were disregarded.
2
Chavan alleged that the committee’s chairperson had already circulated a finalized questionnaire before the meeting, leaving little scope for discussion. He said, “Thus, the third and the last item on the agenda of today’s meeting was over. Therefore, to save time and internet, I logged out.”
3
In his resignation letter, Chavan questioned why an officer from outside Maharashtra had been brought into the process, writing that state officials may have felt they were “not competent to do this duty” and suggesting the committee had not determined how to fit the officer into its functioning.
4
The committee’s other members include retired Bombay High Court judge S.G. Mehare, former Maharashtra chief secretary D.K. Jain, former advocate general Virendra Saraf, constitutional expert Ramesh Patange, and educationist and social worker Suvarna Rawal.
5
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said he intends to introduce a UCC bill during the legislature’s December winter session; the committee was given six months to formulate draft legislation and recommendations.
Retired Bombay High Court Justice R.C. Chavan resigned from Maharashtra's Uniform Civil Code committee this week, accusing the panel of reducing complex social issues to simple yes-or-no answers and finalizing key decisions without real discussion Hindustan Times. His exit came after the state appointed the retired IAS officer Chavan had questioned — Shatrughna Singh — as a member-cum-senior adviser just two days later Indian Express.
The committee, led by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Desai, must deliver draft legislation by December so Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis can introduce a UCC bill during the winter legislature session Rediff. Chavan's exit shrinks the panel from seven to six members and deepens tensions over how Maharashtra will shape one of India's most contentious policy debates.
Why Chavan Walked Out Over the Questionnaire
Chavan objected to the panel's public-feedback questionnaire, which posed three dozen questions in binary yes-or-no format Times of India. He said this approach was too crude for issues like late marriages, infertility, and dispute resolution that demand nuance and context.
The real problem: the chairperson had already finalized and circulated the questionnaire before the September 19 meeting, leaving no room for member input. Chavan said he logged out early to "save time and internet," frustrated that the agenda was already settled Rediff.
The Mystery of Shatrughna Singh's Last-Minute Appointment
Retired IAS officer Shatrughna Singh attended the September 19 meeting despite not being an official committee member at the time Indian Express. Chavan questioned why an officer from outside Maharashtra had been included without clear justification or role definition.
Two days after Chavan's resignation, Singh was formally appointed as member-cum-senior adviser Newsbytes. Chavan's resignation letter hinted that state officials may have felt inadequate for the task, prompting them to bring in outside expertise — a decision that undermined the committee's autonomy.
What Chavan Wanted From a Real Uniform Civil Code
Before resigning, Chavan laid out clear principles: a UCC must protect women, children and older people, safeguard individual autonomy and minority rights, and include young people's voices Hindustan Times. He insisted these protections could not be compromised by religious or gender-based claims.
The Committee Moves Forward With Six Members
The panel still includes retired Bombay High Court Judge S.G. Mehare, former Maharashtra Chief Secretary D.K. Jain, former Advocate General Virendra Saraf, constitutional expert Ramesh Patange, and educationist Suvarna Rawal Hindustan Times. Officials said Chavan would not be replaced.
The online questionnaire will go public soon to gather citizen feedback, which the committee will use to draft its final recommendations by December Times of India. Despite the internal friction, Chief Minister Fadnavis remains on track to introduce UCC legislation in the winter session.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
15
Articles
18
Reach
33
A
AnonymousAuthor
