India, Feb. 5 -- The Gujarat government on Tuesday announced the formation of a high-level committee to evaluate and draft a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for the state, marking a significant step towards implementing a controversial legal measure that aims to establish uniform personal laws for all citizens regardless of religion.

The five-member committee, to be headed by retired Supreme Court justice Ranjana Desai, who recently shepherded Uttarakhand's UCC legislation, has been given 45 days to submit its report, which will be taken into account for a bill. The announcement makes Gujarat the latest BJP-ruled state to move towards implementing the common code, following Uttarakhand's rollout in January.

Chief minister Bhupendra Patel, anno...