India, Nov. 12 -- Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has defended the state government's decision to draft a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), saying the Constitution directs states to work towards implementing such a law.

"The Constitution contains the Directive Principles of State Policy, which talk about the UCC. Thus, it is the constitutional responsibility of every state," he said on Tuesday. He acknowledged that the Directive Principles are not enforceable by courts, unlike Fundamental Rights, as their implementation requires time and consensus among people.

The statement, on Tuesday, came in response to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Oawaisi's claim that the UCC is an attempt to impose a 'Hindu Civil Code' on non-Hindus, adding that the...