Uttarakhand is set to make history as the first state in independent India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The landmark legislation, a key promise by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the 2022 assembly elections, will come into effect on January 27, 2025, a day after the nation celebrated its 76th Republic Day.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has spearheaded the initiative, confirmed that all necessary preparations have been completed. This includes finalizing the rules for implementation and training officials. Dhami emphasized the law’s objective of fostering “uniformity in society” and ensuring “equal rights and responsibilities for all citizens.”
“UCC is just an offering made by our state in the great ‘yagya’ being performed by the Prime Minister to make the country a developed, organized, harmonious, and self-reliant nation,” Dhami stated, as quoted by PTI.
The Road to Implementation
The journey toward the UCC in Uttarakhand began in March 2022, immediately after the BJP’s historic second consecutive victory in the state elections. The state cabinet approved the formation of an expert panel, chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, to draft the UCC.
Over a period of 18 months, the Desai committee engaged in extensive consultations with diverse sections of the population, culminating in a comprehensive draft in four volumes submitted to the state on February 2, 2024. The Uttarakhand Assembly swiftly passed the UCC bill, which received presidential assent from President Droupadi Murmu in March 2024.
A subsequent committee, led by former Chief Secretary Shatrughna Singh, was tasked with framing rules and regulations for implementation. The Singh committee submitted its report late last year, paving the way for the state cabinet’s final approval and the decision to implement the law.
Provisions of the Uttarakhand UCC
The Uniform Civil Code Act of Uttarakhand introduces sweeping reforms in laws related to marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships, aiming to ensure gender parity across all religions. Key features include:
- Uniform Marriageable Age: Establishes equal marriageable age for men and women.
- Bans on Polygamy and Halala: Prohibits practices such as polygamy and ‘halala.’
- Marriage and Relationship Registration: Mandates the registration of all marriages and live-in relationships, with online facilities available to simplify the process.
- Gender Parity and Equal Rights: Ensures gender parity in matters of marriage, divorce, and succession, treating all children as legitimate, including those born of void or voidable marriages.
- Simplified Will Procedures: Introduces a streamlined process for preparing wills.
- Special Provisions for Defence Personnel: Allows privileged wills for soldiers, air force personnel, and mariners engaged in warfare or expeditions, with flexible rules to accommodate their unique circumstances.
Surekha Dangwal, Vice-Chancellor of Doon University and a member of the drafting panel, described the UCC as a transformative step toward ensuring equality and justice. “The UCC’s spirit lies in achieving gender parity across all religions,” she stated, highlighting provisions such as the removal of the term ‘illegitimate’ for children.
A Milestone in India’s Legal Landscape
The implementation of the UCC in Uttarakhand represents a significant milestone in India’s legal framework, marking a bold step toward achieving uniformity in personal laws. As the first state to enact this reform, Uttarakhand sets a precedent for other states to follow, potentially reshaping the discourse on equality and justice in the nation.
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