Consultations held in Raipur on marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance and live-in relationships; tribal representatives urge protection of customary traditions and cultural identity
Published on: October 15, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Raipur, India
The high-level committee constituted by the Chhattisgarh government to examine the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) held a consultation meeting on Wednesday at the Old Circuit House in Raipur, inviting suggestions from representatives of various social organisations and communities.
The meeting focused on gathering views on key personal-law matters, including marriage and divorce, inheritance and succession, maintenance, and live-in relationships. Representatives were briefed on existing rules and legal provisions relating to the Uniform Civil Code through a presentation.
The committee included former senior Indian Administrative Service officer M. K. Raut, senior advocate Mohan Pawar and Jyotirani Singh. The members held discussions with community representatives and listened to their views on the potential implications of the proposed legal framework.
Tribal Representatives Seek Protection of Customary Practices
During the consultation, representatives of the Rani Durgavati Jagriti Mahila Mandal raised concerns about preserving the customary traditions and distinct cultural identity of tribal communities.
Those who presented their views included Dr. Vedwati Mandavi, Rajkumari Thakur, Namita Nuruti, Dhaneshwari Prabhakar, Ranjana Netam, Kamla Devi Netam, Rajkumari Dhruv, Pushpa Priest and Vandana Katlam.
They formally requested that tribal communities be kept outside the scope of the Uniform Civil Code to protect their traditional practices, cultural identity and existing rights.
The issue of safeguarding the distinctive social and cultural framework of tribal communities emerged as a key point during the discussions.
Minority and Other Community Representatives Share Views
The second session included representatives from Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Gondwana and Satnami communities. Discussions covered the registration of marriages and divorces, legal provisions concerning property and wills, and matters relating to live-in relationships.
Among the Muslim community representatives present were Ahmad Noorani, Ayaz Tanveer, Syed Irfan Rizvi, Sabaullah Khan, Mohammad Adnan, Mohammad Ashfaq, Ghulam Mustafa and Ghulam Sailani.
The Christian community was represented by Priest Father Tarun, advocate W. P. Massey, Nirmal Kujur and Subhash Chandra Meshram. Ravindra Gadge and Virendra attended on behalf of the Bharatiya Bauddha Mahasabha, while B. L. Kurre represented the Satnami community.
The participants shared their perspectives on the proposed legal framework and the provisions that could affect their respective communities.
Committee Promises Detailed Examination of Suggestions
Committee members listened to the submissions with seriousness and sensitivity. They assured participants that the practical considerations and suggestions received from different social groups would be examined in detail.
The committee said the inputs would be analysed with the aim of preparing a draft that is inclusive, balanced and impartial.
The consultation forms part of the state-level process to gather perspectives from different communities before the proposed Uniform Civil Code is taken forward. The views presented during the meeting highlighted the importance of considering personal laws, customary practices and the concerns of diverse social groups during the drafting process.
ALSO READ-
- Chhattisgarh UCC Panel Seeks Views from Social and Community Representatives
- Chhattisgarh Ranks No. 1 in Sugarcane Procurement Price, Raises Rate to ₹425 per Quintal
- Chhattisgarh’s Shaktipeeth Project: Five Major Religious Sites Set for Development
- Mahtari Sadan in Somni to Empower Rural Women and Boost Self-Reliance
- Gond Community, Temple Trust and Royal Family Seek Action Against Rumours Ahead of Dongargarh Panchami Puja
