Uttarakhand Becomes First State To Clear Uniform Civil Code Bill

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Uttarakhand, Bill 2024, which seeks to “govern and regulate

the laws related to marriage and divorce, successions, live-in relationships, and matters

related thereto” was passed in the Assembly on February 7 following a two-day discussion.

The Bill will now be sent to President Droupadi Murmu for her assent after which it will

become a law.

Introduced by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on February 6 deliberations were held on

the UCC Bill before the House approved it by a voice vote. Uttarakhand is now poised to

become the first state to get a common law on marriage, divorce, land, property and

inheritance for all citizens, irrespective of their religion. The code, however, will not apply to

the Scheduled Tribes.

Although Goa is governed by a UCC (Portuguese Civil Code), the Assembly did not pass any

law. The code was retained after its liberation in 1961. “Today this special Bill, which was

long awaited by the people of the country, was passed in the Vidhan Sabha of Devbhoomi. I

express my gratitude to all the members of the Vidhan Sabha,” said Dhami and reiterated the

UCC’s commitment to foster progress for everyone.

On Opposition’s allegation that the Bill is aimed at extracting political mileage before the

Lok Sabha polls, he said the BJP had promised to implement the UCC in the run-up to the

2022 elections.

“This is the day of fulfilling that promise and should not be seen as anything else… This is

not tushtikaran (appeasement) but santushtikaran (satisfaction). This is also the empowerment

of women,” he said, emphasising on the exceptional nature of the UCC, calling it “a dream

set to materialise in Uttarakhand and transcend ordinary legislative measures''.

He underscored the meticulous process undertaken by the five-member committee, chaired

by Supreme Court judge Justice (retd) Ranjana Prakash Desai, for around two years to

prepare a comprehensive report. The panel held 43 dialogue sessions and 72 meetings

statewide, as well as engagement with migrants. He exuded confidence that the UCC would

rectify past wrongs and provide true equality while condemning the “divisive forces that

undermine the Constitution’s principles”.

Source: Agencies