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Dehradun, Uttarakhand: In a landmark development, the Uttarakhand Assembly resounded with chants of “Jai Shri Ram” as the historic Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2024, was passed by voice vote. Presented by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the 192-page bill aims to establish a common legal framework for marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance, transcending religious boundaries.
In his address to the Assembly, Chief Minister Dhami underscored the significance of the UCC, describing it as more than just a legislative milestone. He articulated, “India is vast, and each state has the potential to shape national ideals. Uttarakhand is making history today, paving the way for a unified legal framework. It is my hope that other states follow suit, aligning their efforts with the ideals set by our Constitution’s framers.”
Expressing gratitude, CM Dhami thanked the people of Uttarakhand and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their support. “This is a special day; the UCC has been passed. Soon, it will be sent to the President. Once signed, we will implement it in the state as law,” he announced.
Chief Minister Dhami emphasized the UCC’s role in ensuring equality for all individuals, particularly addressing discrimination against women in matters of marriage, maintenance, inheritance, and divorce. “It is time to end atrocities against ‘Matrishakti.’ Discrimination against our sisters and daughters must cease; half the population should now have equal rights,” he declared.
Uttarakhand Minister Prem Chand Aggarwal revealed that the UCC Committee engaged in an exhaustive process, conducting 72 meetings and receiving suggestions from over 2,72,000 individuals via emails and WhatsApp. The UCC Bill received widespread support from various members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The comprehensive UCC Bill addresses laws related to marriage, divorce, succession, live-in relationships, and more. Notable provisions include compulsory registration of live-in relationships, a ban on child marriage, a uniform divorce process, equal property rights for women across religions, and standardized marriage ages (18 for women, 21 for men). The bill mandates marriage registration for all religions, making unregistered marriages invalid, and restricts divorce petitions after one year of marriage.
