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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Govt assures swift UCC implementation

Mumbai: Maharashtra government unequivocally declared its commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code across the state, assuring the legislative assembly that a comprehensive legal framework is already in the advanced stages of formulation. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam categorically stated on the floor of the House on Tuesday that the ruling Mahayuti administration is entirely positive about the swift introduction of the Uniform Civil Code to standardize personal laws. To...

Govt assures swift UCC implementation

Mumbai: Maharashtra government unequivocally declared its commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code across the state, assuring the legislative assembly that a comprehensive legal framework is already in the advanced stages of formulation. Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam categorically stated on the floor of the House on Tuesday that the ruling Mahayuti administration is entirely positive about the swift introduction of the Uniform Civil Code to standardize personal laws. To facilitate this monumental legislative transition, the state government has formally sanctioned the constitution of a dedicated expert committee, which is being spearheaded by a retired High Court judge. This committee has been entrusted with the critical responsibility of meticulously preparing the draft bill for the Uniform Civil Code, which the government intends to enact immediately upon the submission of the final report. Emphasising the overarching objectives of the proposed legislation, Kadam noted that the Uniform Civil Code would universally apply to every citizen irrespective of their religious affiliations and would explicitly incorporate a stringent ban on the controversial practice of polygamy. The minister drew direct parallels with the legislative measures recently adopted by states like Uttarakhand, underscoring that the impending law in Maharashtra would similarly entail severe penal consequences, potentially including imprisonment for up to seven years for violations related to polygamy and illegal divorce practices. He firmly maintained that the government’s approach is fundamentally secular, harboring no animosity toward any specific religion, but is rather driven by the constitutional imperative to extend equal rights, legal protection, and comprehensive justice to women from all communities. This definitive policy assurance from the government was catalysed by a highly volatile calling attention motion initiated by BJP legislator Devyani Farande, which thrust the deeply sensitive issues of triple talaq and polygamy into the center of the assembly’s monsoon session. Farande brought the ongoing plight of Muslim women to the immediate attention of the House, asserting that despite the central government’s strict legislative prohibition, the illegal practice of instant divorce continues to flourish unabated.

Truth Awaits

Updated: Mar 21, 2025

For nearly four years, the death of Disha Salian, manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, has remained a matter of intense speculation, whispers and conspiracy theories. Now, in a new twist, her family has approached the Bombay High Court, demanding a fresh investigation into what they allege was no suicide but a brutal murder orchestrated at the highest levels of politics and entertainment. The petition names, among others, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, scion of one of Maharashtra’s most famous political dynasties. The allegations are serious and it is high time for Thackeray to come forward and clear the air, and not evade the questions that refuse to go away.


Salian (28) was found dead on June 8, 2020, after falling from the 14th floor of a high-rise building in Malad. Just six days later, Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his own apartment. The twin tragedies, which occurred under the watch of Aaditya’s father - Uddhav Thackeray’s Chief Ministership - set off a storm of speculation and political mudslinging with an absence of definitive answers. The Mumbai police quickly concluded that both deaths were suicides. But questions persisted. Why was Salian’s post-mortem conducted two days after her death? Why was it not disclosed earlier that her body was found without clothes? Why was the case hurriedly closed as an accidental death without exhausting all forensic avenues?


The latest petition filed by Salian’s father alleges that she was sexually assaulted and murdered, with a politically motivated cover-up shielding the guilty. It demands the transfer of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the registration of an FIR against Aaditya Thackeray. The petition further claims that Salian was in possession of damaging information about a powerful coterie of politicians, film industry figures and law enforcement officials, making her a target. It alleges that forensic and eyewitness evidence has been ignored or suppressed.


The Sena (UBT) predictably has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using the case as a tool to discredit him. There is no doubt that politics is in play. But politics does not negate the need for accountability.


For Thackeray, this case is no longer just about a legal challenge but about his credibility. Silence, in such matters, fuels suspicion. If he truly has nothing to hide, he should welcome a thorough reinvestigation rather than dismiss it as a conspiracy. Anything less will allow doubts to fester and deepen public distrust.


The Mumbai police, too, must explain their actions. Their handling of Salian’s case has been clumsy at best and evasive at worst. The rushed conclusion of suicide despite circumstantial evidence suggesting otherwise is precisely what led to accusations of a cover-up.


The courts will decide whether the allegations against Thackeray and others hold merit. But perception matters. For a leader hoping to carve out a future beyond the shadow of his father, Aaditya cannot afford to be seen as dodging tough questions. He must cooperate fully with investigators and make a clean breast of any involvement in order to prove his innocence.

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