India, Nov. 10 -- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday defended his government's decision to draft a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), arguing that the Constitution directs states to work towards its implementation. He also accused Opposition parties of attempting to provoke street protests instead of engaging in parliamentary debate.Buy Maps

Responding to criticism from AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Fadnavis said the UCC was rooted in the Directive Principles of State Policy and was part of the constitutional framework.

"Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution has given us fundamental rights and incorporated Directive Principles of State Policy. One of these directives says every state should b...