India Uttarakhand becomes first state to implement Uniform Civil Code News
aurisstudio / Pixabay
India Uttarakhand becomes first state to implement Uniform Civil Code

Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on Monday. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the UCC alongside an official online portal, marking a significant milestone in India’s legal landscape.

Speaking at the launch, CM Dhami described the UCC as a “new era of equality and harmony,” and credited the people of Uttarakhand for their support. “This stream of equality emanating from Devbhoomi will irrigate the entire nation,” he said, emphasizing the state government’s commitment to gender equality and fulfilling the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s 2022 election promise.

The UCC aims to unify personal laws across religions, addressing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and succession. It prohibits practices such as halala, iddat and triple talaq under Muslim Personal Law while ensuring equal rights for women across all communities. Scheduled Tribes and natives who have migrated out of Uttarakhand are excluded from the law’s ambit.

The UCC governs the registration of marriages, divorces, and live-in relationships. Marriages solemnized after March 26, 2010, must be registered within six months, while live-in relationships require registration within one month. The law also mandates reporting pregnancies arising from such relationships within 30 days of childbirth. The law seeks to protect registered live-in couples from housing discrimination based on marital and family status.

The online portal facilitates Aadhaar-based verification, AI-powered multilingual support, and integration with 13 government departments, simplifying processes like marriage registration and will submission. Residents can upload wills as typed documents or three-minute video recordings.

The UCC was drafted by a five-member panel chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge Ranjana Prakash Desai after extensive consultations with over 230,000 residents. The 740-page draft was presented in February 2024 and passed by the state assembly shortly thereafter.

Proponents view the UCC as a progressive step toward equality, while critics warn of potential societal divisions and practical challenges. For instance, Muslim bodies are concerned with their religious freedom permitting polygamous marriage, which UCC no longer protects.

CM Dhami, invoking Article 44 of the Constitution, stated that the UCC aligns with the vision of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the framers of the Constitution.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Sirhan convicted of assassinating RFK

On April 17, 1969, Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of assassinating Senator Robert F. Kennedy and sentenced to death. The sentence was later commuted to life in prison after the Supreme Court of California overturned the death penalty in the state.

Canadian constitution patriated with Charter of Rights and Freedoms

On April 17, 1982, the Constitution Act 1982 was proclaimed in Ottawa, establishing the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and terminating the British Parliament's power to amend the Canadian constitution.