The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has once again moved to the centre of public debate — driven by the Supreme Court (SC) rather than the government, even though Article 44 places it within the domain of policy. Neither the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, nor the Indian Succession Act, 1925, nor even the Uttarakhand UCC, 2024, imposes restrictions on such testamentary powers. Section 2 of the Shariat Act states that MPL shall apply in certain personal matters where the parties are Muslims. AdvertisementThe Shariat Act does not extend to agricultural property, denying Muslim women rights over landed assets. Within two years of the Shariat Act, the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939, was enacted as a progressive reform.

Source: Indian Express April 02, 2026 12:50 UTC