UCC – Rajasthan Congress Declines State Consultations Over Draft Transparency
UCC – The Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee has decided not to attend the state government’s scheduled consultations on the proposed Uniform Civil Code, saying discussions cannot be meaningful when the draft legislation has not been released publicly.
The consultation meetings are planned for July 6 and July 7, with political parties and other stakeholders invited to share their views. Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra has conveyed the party’s decision to the Chief Secretary through a formal letter.
Congress seeks public access to proposed law
In its communication, the Congress said the government should first prepare and publish the proposed UCC draft before asking political parties, citizens or organisations to offer suggestions.
Dotasra said people can only provide informed feedback after studying the provisions of a proposed law. Without access to the draft, he argued, participants would not know what specific measures are being asked for consideration.
The party maintained that a transparent consultation process should allow citizens and stakeholders enough time to examine the proposed provisions, understand their possible impact and submit objections or recommendations where necessary.
Questions raised over consultation format
According to the Congress, the Rajasthan government has called the meetings without making any draft available through an official public platform. The party said this approach does not reflect the principles of an open and democratic decision-making process.
Dotasra stated that holding discussions without a clear legislative document could lead to avoidable confusion and political disagreement. He said the government should ensure clarity before beginning a consultation exercise on an issue that may affect different sections of society.
The Congress has also questioned whether the process can be described as public consultation if participants are not given details of the proposed legal framework in advance.
Concerns over social harmony
The party said an unclear discussion around the Uniform Civil Code could create anxiety among religious communities, caste groups and tribal populations about the future of their rights, customs and traditions.
Dotasra said any policy discussion involving personal laws and social practices requires careful preparation and wide-ranging dialogue. He added that the absence of a public draft could create uncertainty and place pressure on Rajasthan’s social harmony.
The Congress said it would not take part in a process that, in its view, could create divisions or misunderstandings among communities. The party has urged the government to adopt a more transparent approach before moving forward with consultations.
Focus on immediate governance issues
In the letter, Dotasra also accused the state government of shifting attention away from matters requiring urgent administrative action. He listed healthcare, unemployment, education, law and order, agriculture and basic civic services among the issues that need greater focus.
The Congress leader said the government should address these concerns while also ensuring that any proposed legislation is introduced through a clear and accountable process.
The party’s decision means it will stay away from both days of the scheduled meetings. It has reiterated that it may consider participating in future discussions only after the proposed UCC draft is prepared and made available for public examination.