The Supreme Court had on Monday sought to know from the government, whether it is willing to bring the uniform civil code in the country. It asked the solicitor general to seek the government's view and posted the matter for further hearing after three weeks. Union law minister DV Sadananda Gowda said that the code is necessary for the national integration, but any decision to bring it can be taken only after wider consultations. "Unless everybody is satisfied and everybody feels that this is how it should be, only then should we go (ahead), consultation should be held first then we would arrive at a consensus," he said.

“My answer is the same as it was in April on the floor of the House. Yes, the UCC will certainly have some positive impact on national integrity, but in this country, for the last several years, having several kinds of personal and customary laws, it is not a matter to be settled in two days,” he said.

"Even the Preamble of our Constitution and Article 44 of the Constitution says that there should be a uniform civil code. For the interest of national integration, certainly a common civil code is necessary. But it is a very sensitive issue. It needs very wide consultation. Communities, even across party lines, and even various organizations, need to have a wider consultation," Gowda said, adding that a decision "cannot be taken in a day or two. It will take its own time". "But, the concept of the Preamble of the Constitution and Article 44 is in the national interest, and we need to go a step further in this direction," he added.

Gowda said, "Till today we could not go further because the matter was pending in some high courts and even in the apex court. Gradually, we have to take up this issue." “It will take its own time, (But) certainly a step further needs to be taken in this direction,” he said.

“The affidavit will be filed after I consult with these people, after which we will open the issue and talk to all stakeholders,” he said, adding that would include the heads of various personal law boards. This is important, he said, since “tomorrow if a small issue is left out, it can become a major sticking point.”

By Premji