The Uttarakhand government is gearing up to convene a special session of the state assembly to present the draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), as per sources. The UCC draft, formulated earlier this year by a committee led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, aims to establish common laws applicable to all citizens, irrespective of religion, in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.
Key Points:
- Draft Highlights:
- The draft bill proposes a comprehensive ban on polygamy.
- It includes a provision for live-in couples to register their relationship.
- Equal inheritance rights for both sons and daughters are envisaged in the proposed bill.
- Committee’s Background:
- The BJP, during its election campaign last year, promised to implement a UCC for Uttarakhand.
- Soon after assuming office for a second consecutive term, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami initiated the formation of a committee chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge Ranjana Prakash Desai to draft the UCC.
- The committee extensively engaged with citizens, holding consultations with over 2 lakh people and various stakeholders.
- Extension of Committee’s Tenure:
- The committee’s tenure has been extended multiple times, with the latest extension until December.
- The five-member committee initially received a six-month extension in November 2022 and a subsequent four-month extension in May 2023.
- Opinions were gathered from diverse groups, institutions, and tribal communities during the drafting process.
- BJP’s Electoral Promise:
- The introduction of a UCC for Uttarakhand was a significant electoral promise made by the BJP in the lead-up to the state assembly elections.
The proposed UCC, with its emphasis on gender equality, registration of live-in relationships, and a ban on polygamy, reflects the government’s commitment to modernize personal laws and foster inclusivity in Uttarakhand. The upcoming special session is expected to be a key step in bringing these reforms into legislative action.
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