On 21^st August, 2023, the BPP Trustees were invited to the capital to discuss concerns on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), in a consultative process set up by the 22^nd Law Commission Of India, presided over by Chairman – Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi (Retd.) and other appointed members of the Law Commission. Adv. Zerick Dastur was the spokesman representing the Board’s views to the Commission, alongside Hanosh Mistry. Vada Dasturji Dr. Firoze M. Kotwal and Er. Dr. Parvez M. Bajan also joined the discussions via online video conferencing.

As per messages shared on social media by most of the Trustees, submissions made included the critical need for the community to retains its ethno-centric religious identity; the inseparable integration of our social life from our religion and our unique beliefs and traditions; over 1300 years of historical perspective and our reasons for migration to India to protect our religion, traditions and practices and unique identity; the incomparable contributions made by Parsis in every aspect of Indian life; the acknowledgements and protections given by successive Governments to retain the unique Parsi/Irani- Zoroastrian identity and the special legal carve-outs provided to via special legislations; and that the apprehensions in absence of an actual draft of the UCC.

At the end of the meeting which lasted for an hour and a half, Chairman Justice Awasthi reassured the Trustees of the Law Commission being mindful towards the need to protect our ethno-centric religious existence. The Commission will proceed to now draft the actual Uniform Civil Code post such consultative meetings and will present the same in time.