New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that the country may need to seriously think about bringing the Uniform Civil Code. The comment came while hearing a petition that asks for equal inheritance rights for Muslim women. The court said the issue is important and needs careful discussion.
The bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices J. Bagchi and R. Mahadevan, said such decisions should mainly be taken by Parliament. The judges explained that directly removing personal laws could create confusion, so lawmakers should decide on a proper law.
The petition has challenged the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, saying it gives Muslim women a smaller share in family property compared to men. Lawyer Prashant Bhushan argued that inheritance should be treated as a civil right and women must get equal share.
The court, however, said reforms should be made carefully. The judges warned that quick changes might create legal problems or affect some rights women already have. The court also asked the petitioners to update their plea and suggest better solutions.