Cong to boycott Raj's UCC consultations; seeks draft to be placed in public domain first

Jaipur, July 6 (IANS) The Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee has announced that it will not participate in the state government's public consultation meetings on the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, stating that public consultation is not possible unless the draft legislation is first placed in the public domain for discussion and feedback.  

The party has informed the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan through a formal letter signed by Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra, citing objections to the consultation process.

In the letter, the Congress said the Rajasthan government has called political parties for consultations despite not preparing or making public any draft of the proposed UCC.

The party argued that meaningful public consultation is not possible unless the draft legislation is first placed in the public domain for discussion and feedback.

"Before inviting public opinion on any law, its draft should be made public so that citizens and stakeholders can study its provisions and submit informed suggestions and objections," Dotasra said.

He stated that conducting consultations without releasing a draft would only trigger unnecessary controversy and could adversely affect Rajasthan's social harmony.

"The government has neither prepared a draft of the proposed law nor made it available through any public platform. Holding consultations in such circumstances is against the spirit of a transparent and democratic process," Dotasra said.

The Congress also expressed concern that discussions on the UCC without adequate preparation could create apprehensions among different religious communities, castes and tribal groups regarding their rights, customs and traditions.

"Such an exercise, without clarity and transparency, has the potential to disturb the state's social fabric. Congress cannot be a part of any process that may create divisions in society," Dotasra said.

In his letter, Dotasra further accused the Rajasthan government of diverting attention from pressing governance issues, including healthcare, unemployment, education, law and order, agriculture, and the availability of basic civic amenities.

He said these issues require immediate attention instead of initiating consultations on a law whose draft has not yet been prepared.

The Rajasthan government has scheduled the UCC consultation meetings for July 6 and 7, inviting political parties and stakeholders to share their views.

However, the Congress has made it clear that it will boycott both days of the consultations, maintaining that any meaningful discussion must begin only after the draft legislation is released for public scrutiny.