Congress Boycotts Rajasthan UCC Public Hearings Without Draft

The Congress party in Rajasthan has officially declared a boycott of the public hearings concerning the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). State party president Govind Singh Dotasra announced the decision, citing the government's failure to release a formal draft for public scrutiny. The party contends that conducting hearings in the absence of a legislative proposal is an attempt to sow discord rather than facilitate a genuine, democratic debate on the subject.

The opposition has also raised significant objections regarding the composition of the UCC drafting committee. Specifically, the inclusion of Shuchi Chauhan, the director of an organization with known ideological affiliations, has fueled accusations of bias. Congress leaders argue that such appointments undermine the neutrality required for a process as sensitive as reforming personal laws. They argue that this lack of balance in the committee’s composition renders the entire consultation process fundamentally flawed and potentially divisive.

Congress leadership has categorized the UCC push as a strategic diversion from more urgent governance issues. Dotasra highlighted problems within the state, including the public health crisis involving counterfeit medicines, high unemployment, and lapses in law and order. The party has demanded that the government shift its focus toward these bread-and-butter issues, asserting that their workers would only participate in formal consultations if the government proves its commitment to addressing the state's immediate developmental needs through transparent, draft-based legislative procedures.