Gujarat HC dismisses plea challenging state’s UCC panel for lack of minority members

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court today dismissed a petition that contested the composition of a five-member state-appointed committee formed to evaluate the need for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Gujarat, arguing that it lacked representation from minority communities.

The bench of Justice Niral S. Mehta rejected the plea filed by Surat resident Abdul Vahab Sopariwala. “Dismissed,” the court stated while delivering its verdict. A detailed order is awaited.

The state government had constituted the committee on February 4 this year to examine the requirement of a UCC and draft a related bill. The petitioner argued that the panel excluded scholars or members from religious minorities, which he claimed was necessary to reflect a range of views and practices.

Before moving the court, the petitioner had submitted a representation to the Chief Minister on March 16, urging the government to reconstitute the committee with experts familiar with personal laws and community practices.

The current committee is headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai and includes retired IAS officer C. L. Meena, advocate R. C. Kodekar, former Veer Narmad South Gujarat University vice-chancellor Dakshesh Thakar, and social activist Geetaben Shroff.

According to the plea, the committee’s current composition violated constitutional provisions — specifically Articles 14 (right to equality), 15 (prohibition of discrimination), and 25 (freedom of religion) — by failing to include diverse stakeholders. DeshGujarat