Christian body welcomes SC judement on civil code

NEW DELHI: The Catholic Bishops'' Conference of India (CBCI) has welcomed the Supreme Court judgement on Section 118 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, but has cautioned on any move towards a Uniform Civil Code for the country.
CBCI was respondingto the observation of the Chief Justice of India Justice V N Khare asking the state to make endeavours to secure a Uniform Civil Code for Indians.
President of CBCI, Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios, said, “Section 118 of the Indian Succession Act was a point of concern to all since it imposes restriction only on Christians on their right to bequeath their properties for religious and charitable purposes. We are happy to note that the Supreme Court has observed this article as unconstitutional.�
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Responding on the suggestion of the Supreme Court on a Uniform Civil Code, Bishop Percival Fernandez, secretary general of CBCI said, “Extreme caution, a thorough study and a conducive atmosphere which gives the minorities in the country a strong feeling of security should be created before the government embarks on any move towards Uniform Civil Code, especially in the light of the experiences of the minorities during the last few years.�