The final draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be discussed in the Uttrakhand Assembly today, days after it was approved by the state cabinet.
First state to adopt UCC
Uttrakhand will become the First Indian state to adopt the Uniform Civil Code after Independence if the bill is passed. Several other BJP-ruled states, including Assam and Madhya Pradesh, have also expressed interest in enacting a similar law, reminiscent of Goa’s common civil code established during Portuguese rule.
The UCC entails a unified set of laws applicable to all Indian citizens, devoid of religious considerations, especially in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.
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Ban on polygamy
The draft bill being presented in the assembly seeks to impose a complete ban on polygamy and includes provisions for the registration of relationships for live-in couples. Adoption rights are proposed to be granted universally, and the bill aims to establish equal inheritance rights for both sons and daughters.
In June last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a big push for a Uniform Civil Code and said the country couldn’t run on two laws, much like it didn’t work to have “different set of rules for different members of a family”.
Formulated by CM Dhami
The draft for Uttarakhand’s UCC was formulated earlier this year by a committee assembled by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The committee engaged with a diverse group of citizens, conducting consultations with over 2 lakh people and key stakeholders.
Mr. Dhami, who implemented a Uniform Civil Code a major election promise during the 2022 assembly polls, expresses hope that other states will follow Uttarakhand’s lead, utilizing the template provided by the state for UCC implementation.
