Uniform Civil Code in Retrospect and Prospect/Kiran Deshta. 1995, xvi, 213 p., $15.
Contents: Preface. I. Introduction. II. Philosophy of uniform civil code : a retrospective introspection: 1. Hindu period. 2. Muslim period. 3. British period: i. Prelude. ii. Advent of Britishers. iii. British policy towards personal laws: a. Philosophy of neutrality. b. Codification of laws. c. Legislations on personal law. 4. Text of constituent assembly. 5. Sum up. III. Constitutional provisions, public response and implementation of uniform civil code: 1. Text of article. 2. Public and academic response to uniform civil code: i. Views of Muslim thinkers. ii. Views of non-Muslim communities. iii. Views of minority communities. 3. Implementation of article: i. Role of the press. ii. Role of politicians. iii. Role of government. 4. Sum up. IV. Judicial response to the philosophy of uniform civil code: 1. Prelude. 2. Judicial response to polygamy. 3. Judicial response to property and succession. 4. Judicial response to divorce and maintenance. 5. Sum up. V. Appraisal and suggestions: 1. Appraisal. 2. Suggestions. Appendices: 1. Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application, Act, 1937. 2. The Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939. 3. Mussalman Wakf Validating Act, 1913. 4. Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929. 5. Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986. 6. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Rules, 1986. 7. Text of Constituent Assembly Debates. 8. Extracts from the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937 (As on 29.2.1984). 9. Extracts from regulations for the administration of the department of irregulars, Gwalior Government, Gwalior. 10. Text of Fourth Annual Report of Minorities Commission 1.1.1981 to 31.3.1982. Table of cases. Bibliography. Index.
"The learned author in this timely book has taken up this subject for thorough examination. Exercise has been backed thoroughly by material of various forms. Views of eminent personalities of various communities, scholars and critics have been recorded in order to make the subject important and educative. Roles of various agencies, namely, the press, the politicians, the government and others have been pointedly highlighted. In addition, numerous judicial decisions have been considered making the subject all the more interesting and meaningful." (jacket)