Uniform Civil Code Bill Gets Approved in The Uttarakhand Assembly
Image Source: Times Now
On February 7, 2024, the Uttarakhand state legislative Assembly passed the landmark Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, making it the first state in India to implement such legislation after Goa, where it has been operational since the days of Portuguese rule. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has labeled this as a “historic moment.” It fulfills a key promise made by the BJP government during the 2022 state elections which subsequently aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s motto of ‘Ek Bharat, Sreshtha Bharat.’
What is the Uniform Civil Code?
The Uniform Civil Code aims to introduce a common set of personal laws applicable to all citizens, regardless of their religion, caste, or gender. There are various provisions under this bill about marriage, inheritance, rights of women, and personal laws.
The Provisions Under UCC
It focuses on the increase in the age of marriage to put more emphasis on the educational perspective of the citizens, especially women, and putting a complete ban on the concept of child marriage.
Moreover, it also makes it mandatory for live-in couples to have their relationship registered under the law within one month from the onset of their union which otherwise could have significant legal consequences. The children born out of wedlock would no longer be termed as ‘illegitimate’ and women would be entitled to inherit maintenance from their partners.
In the religious context, its objective is to eliminate the practices of halala and iddat for Muslim Women. The bill has also made it easier and simplified to go through the adoption process for a couple. The divorce grounds include adultery, bigamy, cruelty, desertion, or unable to comply with maintenance orders in this bill.
As much as this new bill has been met with a fresh outcome on the laws and procedures of the country, it has also sparked controversies regarding the interference of the state in personal relationships especially for live-in couples. Some critics have also pointed out the exclusion of the LGBTQ community from the provisions of UCC. Moreover, the exemption of the Scheduled tribes from this bill has also raised questions related to the protection of minority rights of the marginalized.
After the successful implementation of the UCC bill in Uttarakhand, the BJP-led states might see the same transformations in the upcoming years which can have an impact on the imposition of this bill in Central India’s context, though it could be obstructed with a few political obstacles. The questions lie around the successful and fair execution of this bill which could have a positive effect and beneficial result for the citizens as well as for society as a whole.
Team Profile
- News Writer
- Radhika Shankar is a distinguished student enrolled at Christ University, where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Media and Journalism. With a fervent passion for the field, Radhika is dedicated to honing her skills and expanding her knowledge in media and journalism.
Latest entries
News18 December 2024The Hidden Strain: Mental Health Crisis in Bangalore’s IT Industry
English29 February 2024MH370 – A Decade of Finding Answers For The Disappearance of The Aircraft
English28 February 2024India Reveals Astronaut Crew for Historic Gaganyaan Mission
English27 February 2024Calcutta High Court Orders Sheikh Shahjahan to be Arrested
