Mumbai, July 9: In a major move towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the Maharashtra state government has constituted a high-level committee to draft the framework. Making the announcement in the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared details regarding the committee’s chairperson and its members.

The panel has been tasked with studying the matter and submitting its comprehensive report within the next six months. The government aims to table the draft UCC bill during the upcoming winter session of the state legislature in Nagpur, where it will be presented before both Houses to initiate the legislative process for enactment, said the CM.

A seven-member committee has been formed under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Desai to chart out the framework for implementing the UCC in the state.

Announcing the panel in the state Assembly, CM Fadnavis stated, “A seven-member committee, comprising legal experts, educationists, and social workers, is being formed. The committee is expected to submit its report within the next six months. Our effort is to take this report and introduce the bill in both Houses during the winter session in Nagpur.”

The committee features a robust lineup of legal, administrative, and social experts, including three retired judges from the Supreme Court and High Courts, a constitutional expert, a former bureaucrat, and two prominent figures from the social sector.

Headed by Retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Desai, the committee includes Retd High Court Justice R.C. Chavan, Retd High Court Justice S.G. Mehare, D.K. Jain (Former Chief Secretary), Birendra Saraf (Former Advocate General), Padma Shri Ramesh Patange (Social Worker) and Dr Suvarna Rawal (Educationist/Constitutional Expert).

Earlier, Minister of State (Home) Yogesh Kadam informed the state Legislative Assembly on June 23 that the Maharashtra government had approved the formation of a retired high court judge-led committee to submit a report on the implementation of UCC in Maharashtra. The UCC will be implemented in the state after receiving the committee report.

“The Maharashtra government is positive about the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code. The Chief Minister has given his nod to form a committee led by a retired High Court judge to prepare a draft of the UCC. Once the report is submitted, the UCC will be implemented,” said MoS Kadam.

The minister was replying to the calling attention motion raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Devyani Farande over the instances of triple talaq in Nasik district.

Minister Kadam said that once the UCC is brought, the ban on Polygamy will be included in the same. “The government is not against any religion nor an individual. The UCC, when brought, will be applicable to every individual, irrespective of the religion,” he said.

The Maharashtra government’s move comes after Uttarakhand, which was formed in 2000, recently became the first state in the country to successfully implement the Uniform Civil Code under the BJP-led government. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami officially enforced the law on January 27, 2025. The Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly passed the UCC bill on February 7 last year, following a draft report submitted by an expert committee on October 18, 2024.

Following Uttarakhand’s lead, several other BJP-ruled states are now actively moving forward to implement a uniform law for all citizens.

Mumbai, July 9: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday urged citizens to take preventive measures against leptospirosis, warning that walking through rainwater or mud with open wounds significantly increases the risk of infection during the monsoon season.

In an advisory issued by its Public Health Department, the civic body appealed to people who have waded through stagnant rainwater or mud to seek medical advice and take preventive medication within 24 to 72 hours, as recommended by doctors.

Mumbai has been witnessing heavy rainfall over the past several days, resulting in waterlogging across many parts of the city. During this period, people walking through stagnant or slow-moving water are at an increased risk of contracting leptospirosis, particularly if they have cuts, wounds, or even minor scratches on their bodies, the BMC said, warning that leptospirosis is a serious disease and can become life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated in time.

According to the Public Health Department, rainwater mixed with contaminated mud may contain Leptospira bacteria (spirochaetes), which cause leptospirosis. The bacteria can enter the body through even small cuts or abrasions on the skin, leading to infection.

It has therefore advised anyone exposed to rainwater or mud to consult a doctor without delay and take preventive medication within the recommended 24 to 72-hour window.

Citizens have been asked to visit the Hindu Hruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Clinics, BMC dispensaries, health centres and municipal hospitals, where medical consultations, health check-ups, guidance and preventive medicines are being provided free of cost.

The civic body has also urged residents to spread awareness among their family members, friends and neighbours about the disease and the importance of early preventive treatment.

The Public Health Department further advised people not to ignore fever during the monsoon season, as it could be a symptom of leptospirosis, dengue, or malaria. Residents experiencing fever or other related symptoms have been urged to seek immediate medical attention instead of resorting to self-medication.

As a preventive measure, the BMC has advised citizens with cuts or wounds on their feet to avoid walking through stagnant water. If it is unavoidable, they should wear rubber boots or other protective footwear. After coming into contact with rainwater, people should wash their feet thoroughly with soap and clean water and dry them properly to minimise the risk of infection.

Mumbai, July 9: Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar’s decision to hold a party meeting in Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s chamber at the Vidhan Bhavan has triggered fresh friction within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut accusing senior leaders of conferring legitimacy on “traitors”.

Raut also slammed Pawar for meeting Deputy CM Shinde.

Af a press conference, Raut further asserted that senior leaders should refrain from giving political legitimacy and dignity to “traitors.”

Acknowledging Pawar’s political stature, Raut stated, “Sharad Pawar is undoubtedly a towering leader and a highly respected figure. However, holding a party meeting under the roof of a traitor who brought down our government erodes and dilutes the credibility of such a stature. Eknath Shinde has plagued Maharashtra with treachery and corruption. Why did Pawar Saheb choose his chamber for a meeting? Was the entire Vidhan Bhavan deserted? They have the YB Chavan Pratisthan. This is the firm opinion of our loyal grassroots workers.”

Taking a swipe at the accommodating nature of the NCP SP chief, Raut added, “We will never step into a traitor’s office to hold our party meetings. We are not that tolerant, nor do we possess such a large heart. Let those who are big-hearted do as they please, but this is unacceptable to us. Such compromises are precisely why the NCP(SP) loses its credibility among the public.”

Expanding on the emotional fallout within the opposition alliance, Raut claimed that the entire coalition was upset. “Had we been in his position, we would have never held a meeting in Ajit Pawar’s chamber either. We would have remembered his betrayal toward Sharad Pawar and maintained political decorum. All constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi must uphold these basic principles,” he urged.

Referring to Wednesday’s high-level meet at the Vidhan Bhavan, ostensibly called to discuss the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute, Raut questioned its outcome.

“What actually transpired in that meeting remains unknown. How many top leaders of the state did the Chief Minister invite? Shiv Sena UBT is a major political party and a key component of the border-dispute agitation. This case has been pending for decades. What is the solution? What was discussed, and what is the date for the next meeting? These questions remain unanswered. Sharad Pawar going into Eknath Shinde’s office and conducting his own party’s meeting there is something that has genuinely hurt Shiv Sena UBT,” he noted.

Accusing Sharad Pawar of legitimising the ruling dispensation, Raut threw a political gauntlet, “Sharad Pawar is giving dignity to traitors, and Shiv Sena is highly restless because of it. If you continue to bestow prestige upon traitors, you lose the moral right to speak out against the defection that took place within your own party.”

Questioning the double standards, Raut asked, “Ajit Pawar also committed treachery. Why then did you approach the courts and take a stand against him? We are relentlessly fighting against Eknath Shinde — why are you giving him legitimacy? This has struck a painful chord with us.”

Raut clarified that his outburst was purely political and not personal. “My relationship with Sharad Pawar is rooted in deep affection and warmth, but I stand firm when it comes to my party’s stance. If veteran leaders continue to dignify traitors, the state’s image will inevitably suffer. I can speak to Sharad Pawar at any time, but as a political party, this matter is deeply serious for us. We will never sit under the roof of those who betrayed you.”