In a noteworthy development, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is poised to introduce the Common Civil Code Uttarakhand, 2024, bill in the state assembly today, a document often referred to as the Uniform Civil Code. The legislation, a key promise from the BJP’s 2022 election manifesto, aims to replace personal religious laws governing marriage and inheritance with unified civil rules.
On Sunday, the Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the draft report from the Common Civil Code panel, led by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai. The five-member committee submitted the document to the chief minister just two days prior.
With the ruling BJP holding 47 out of 70 seats in the assembly, the bill is expected to easily pass. Following assembly approval, it will be sent to the governor for final authorization, officially becoming law.
The assembly session, specifically convened for the bill’s presentation, may witness heated debates between the BJP and the opposition Congress. Congress MLAs demonstrated their discontent on the session’s first day, walking out of a Business Advisory Committee meeting in protest of waiving the Question Hour.
Speaker Ritu Khandari, responding to the protest, emphasized the national importance of the Common Civil Code bill. She stated, “The Question Hour is important too, but sometimes things are so significant that take precedence over routine procedures of the House.”
Congress MLAs later submitted a letter to the Speaker, challenging the constitutionality of waiving the Question Hour on technical grounds and arguing that the ongoing session cannot be deemed special as the previous session had not been prorogued.
Chief Minister Dhami expressed optimism about the bill, stating, “The Common Civil Code will be beneficial for all sections of society, not only in Uttarakhand but across the country.” He anticipates a thorough debate on the bill during Tuesday’s session.
Meanwhile, Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal revealed on Monday that the Law Commission of India is currently reviewing the need for a Uniform Civil Code nationally. Meghwal emphasized that this matter is not solely a central issue and mentioned that the government of Goa has already made progress on the Common Civil Code. He indicated that the Uttarakhand government’s approval is in alignment with these ongoing considerations by the Law Commission.
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