In a significant move towards legal reform, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is set to present the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Uttarakhand 2024 Bill in the State Assembly today. This legislation, approved by the Uttarakhand Cabinet, aims to establish uniform civil laws for all communities in the state.
Sunday saw the approval of the final draft of the UCC, which includes provisions such as a ban on polygamy, a standard marriageable age for girls across all faiths, and uniformity in divorce processes. Notably, the drafting process involved consultations with nearly 60,000 people.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami leaves from his residence in Dehradun with a copy of the Indian Constitution
CM Dhami will present the Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill in the State Assembly today. pic.twitter.com/b7HEGGqG7g
— ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2024
Highlights of the Proposed Bill
The proposed UCC will provide a legal framework for uniform marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance laws, regardless of religious affiliation. This initiative aims to ensure equality and consistency in civil matters for all citizens of Uttarakhand.
Fulfillment of BJP Promise
The passage of the UCC Bill signifies the fulfillment of a significant promise made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the people of Uttarakhand during the 2022 Assembly polls. This move reflects the party’s commitment to governance and legal reform.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami took to social media to announce the introduction of the UCC Bill, stating, “With the aim of giving equal rights to the citizens of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, Uniform Civil Code Bill will be introduced in the Assembly today. It is a moment of pride for all the people of the state that we will be known as the first state in the country to move towards implementing UCC.”
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami introduced the UCC Bill with chants of “Vande Mataram and Jai Shri Ram”.
#WATCH | "Vande Mataram and Jai Shri Ram" slogans raised by MLAs inside State Assembly after CM Dhami tabled the Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill in State Assembly, in Dehradun. pic.twitter.com/0R7ka2pYJD
— ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2024
Significance of the UCC Bill
The significance of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in Uttarakhand extends beyond mere legal reform. Moreover, it represents a crucial step towards upholding the principles of equality, secularism, and social justice enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The concept of a uniform civil code, which seeks to replace personal laws based on religion with a standard set of laws governing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption, has been a longstanding constitutional ideal.
Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, a directive principle of state policy, explicitly states that “the State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.” This provision reflects the framers’ vision of promoting national integration and ensuring equal rights for all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs or cultural practices.
