Bharatiya Janata Party President Shri Rajnath Singh has asked the Central government to formulate a Common Civil Code. He has urged Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to set up a national level Committee which can arrive at a consensus and frame a Common Civil Code law.

He stated that the Article 44 of the Directive Principles in the Indian Constitution clearly states that the government should work towards making a common civil code for all citizens.

Shri Rajnath Singh said that the Supreme Court had twice ruled that there should be a common civil code in the country. The Supreme Court ruling itself indicates that a common civil code would strengthen national unity here.

He pointed out that since the time of Portugese presence India, in Goa there had been a common civil code for all. There are large number of Christian and Muslim populace in Goa but there has never been any protest to the common civil code out there.

Shri Rajnath Singh said that time and again many laws have been enacted relating to the Hindu community. When child marriages had to be stopped the Sharda Act was made. Earlier women had no rights. So in 1937 the Indian Women Property Rights Act was made and women were given civil rights. In 1956 the Hindu Act was made. Even anti dowry laws were formulated.

He said that it should not be forgotten that several Muslim populated countries were improving their laws. For example Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan were ushering in changes in their laws.

He called for a national debate on the Common Civil Code stating that if members from all communities and sects participate in it an acceptable law could be framed.

Shri Rajnath Singh said that the Supreme Court did not have the authority to frame laws, which can only be done through elected representatives, He said it was time that a national committee be set up, which through a general consensus can prepare a report on the common civil code and submit it to the government.