Colonialism, Nationalism and Gendered Legal Subjectivities: Historical Observations on the Destruction of Separate Legal Regimes

Though a directive principle of the constitution, a uniform civil code of law has never been written or instituted in India. As a result, in matters of personal law—the segment of law concerning marriage, dowry, divorce, parentage, legitimacy, wills, and inheritance—individuals of different backgrounds must appeal to their respective religious laws for guidance or rulings. But balancing the claims of religious communities with those of a modern secular state has caused some intractable problems for India as a nation. Religion and Personal Law in Secular India provides a comprehensive look into the issues and challenges that India faces as it tries to put a uniform civil code into practice