In a significant development, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami declared on Monday that the report from the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Committee is slated to be handed over to the state government on February 2. The announcement followed suggestions from a Uttarakhand minister hinting at a possible debate on the UCC draft during the upcoming state assembly session, scheduled from February 5 to February 8.
Dhami emphasized the state government’s commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code, a promise made to the people during the 2022 assembly elections. The UCC Committee, formed to fulfill this commitment, has concluded its work, and its report is expected to be submitted on February 2.
After receiving the report, Dhami outlined the next steps, stating that it would be presented to the Uttarakhand Cabinet. Subsequently, actions will be taken in the state assembly to enact the Uniform Civil Code Act.
Expectations from the UCC Act
The Uniform Civil Code aims to establish a uniform set of laws addressing various issues, such as marriage, inheritance, adoption, and gender equality for all citizens in Bharat. Article 44 of the Indian Constitution calls for the endeavor to secure a UCC throughout the country.
The proposed provisions for Uttarakhand’s UCC Act may include:
- Equal treatment of men and women in matters of inheritance.
- Possible rejection of practices like polygamy, iddat, and halal.
- Maintaining the existing minimum marriage age for both genders.
- Potential introduction of mandatory marriage registration.
- Regulation of live-in relationships, including mandatory declarations and parental notifications.
- Equal grounds for divorce for both spouses.
- Simplification of the guardianship process for orphaned children.
- Potential restrictions on the number of children a couple can have and granting adoption rights to all, irrespective of religion or gender.
- PM Modi’s Perspective on UCC
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed support for the Uniform Civil Code, stating that the country cannot function with two sets of laws. He emphasized that the UCC aligns with the founding principles and ideals of the Constitution. PM Modi criticized the instigation of people in the name of the UCC and highlighted the Supreme Court’s endorsement of its implementation.
Critics’ Concerns
However, critics, including Congress leader Harish Rawat, raised concerns about having different UCCs in various states, arguing that it could defeat the purpose of having a common law applicable to all sections of society across the country. Despite differing opinions, the UCC remains a topic of national importance, with potential implications for legal and social frameworks in Uttarakhand and beyond.
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