Former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi emphasized the significance of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as a vital step toward national integration. He stated that implementing the UCC does not conflict with Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, which safeguard the right to religion. According to Gogoi, the UCC can foster unity while respecting religious freedoms. This view supports the Constitution’s aim of promoting equality and unity among different communities.
Former Chief Justice of India and Rajya Sabha member Ranjan Gogoi described the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as a “progressive piece of legislation” and emphasized its significance for national integration.
He stated,
“The UCC is an important step towards national integration… It will replace diverse customary practices that have evolved in the law.”
Gogoi noted that the UCC, which addresses matters such as adoption, marriage, divorce, and inheritance, aligns with Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution regarding the right to religion. He highlighted its successful implementation in Goa.
However, he stressed the need for consensus-building prior to its implementation, urging the government to “tell the people of the nation what the UCC is.” He acknowledged that while some may resist understanding, it is essential to engage the public constructively.
On the issue of court pendency, Gogoi recommended increasing the number of judges from the current 24,000 to 100,000 to expedite justice, pointing out that the backlog has grown from 3 crore to 5 crore cases since his tenure as Chief Justice ended in 2019.
He suggested categorizing cases by importance to effectively manage the workload, noting that many pending cases are “dead cases” where litigants have lost interest.
Regarding the “One nation, one election” initiative, he expressed support, stating,
“Every year, the country goes for elections… This all affects governance.”
Gogoi called for a more streamlined electoral process to reduce the frequent disruptions caused by elections at various levels.
The freedom of religion is a fundamental right guaranteed under Articles 25 to 28 of the Indian Constitution:
- Article 25: Ensures freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, and health.
- Article 26: Grants the right to manage religious affairs, establish institutions, and own property for religious purposes.
- Article 27: Prohibits forcing individuals to pay taxes for promoting or maintaining any particular religion.
- Article 28: Restricts religious instruction in educational institutions wholly funded by the state.
These provisions aim to uphold secularism while protecting religious diversity in India.
Former Chief Justice of India and current Rajya Sabha member, Ranjan Gogoi, is a prominent legal figure known for his tenure as the 46th Chief Justice of India. His contributions include landmark judgments and active involvement in public policy discussions.
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