Recently, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairperson Justice Arun Mishra has made a strong case for adopting the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

“Article 44 of the Constitution, which contains a constitutional edict to endeavour to secure for citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India should no longer remain a dead letter,” the Chairperson said.

“We see discrimination against women worldwide due to social, customary, and religious practices. The time has come to take care of same by enacting legislative provisions to remove discrimination in inheritance, property rights, parental rights, domicile of married woman, and legal capacity,” he said while discussing UCC with respect to the right to equality.

“Improving the condition of women in vulnerable sections and rural areas is needed to ensure equality. Empowerment of women through development and proper education is essential. They cannot be made to suffer discrimination and gender violence for eternity.” he further said.

Justice Mishra invoked one of the basic tenets of Hindu philosophy, ‘bahujan sukhaya bahujan hitaya’ which means that public welfare lies in the happiness of the masses and briefly touched upon various facets of human rights, including the rights of women, children, and other vulnerable sections of society, environmental rights and intergenerational equity, economic and business-related human rights, and the right to life.

The NHRC chairperson was delivering the welcome address at the Human Rights Day celebrations organised by the National Human Rights Commission. The programme was also attended by President Draupadi Murmu, and United Nations Resident Coordinator for India, Shombi Sharp.