In line with its pledge to implement the Uniform Civil Code in the state, the BJP government in Uttarakhand will implement the nation's first such law in a state.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will unveil the UCC portal at 12.30 pm on Monday at the state secretariat. Following the implementation of the milestone legislation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Uttarakhand.
#WATCH | Dehradun | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, "During the 2022 assembly election which we contested under the leadership of PM Modi - we promised the people of the state that we will work to implement the UCC after forming the govt. We have fulfilled all the… pic.twitter.com/AgX7jiFcNl
— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2025
Dhami on Sunday said the UCC will lay foundations of a harmonious society without discrimination on the basis of gender, caste or religion. He said the BJP made a commitment regarding the UCC ahead of the 2022 assembly polls and it was taken on priority after the government was formed.
The state cabinet had decided to form a UCC committee in March 2022. Constituted on May 27 the same year, the panel was led by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai. The draft proposal was passed by the state assembly in February 2024 and the following month, President Droupadi Murmu gave her consent for the bill.
Dehradun, Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) says, "The preparations for the UCC are complete, and in a day or two, you will be called again" pic.twitter.com/SolmQg8Zh3
— IANS (@ians_india) January 25, 2025
Following this, an expert panel led by former Chief Secretary Shatrughna Singh framed the rules to implement the Act.
Pointing out that several great rivers of the country originate in Uttarakhand, Dhami said the "Gangotri of UCC" will also originate in the state and flow to the rest of India.
The new law will apply to all people in Uttarakhand, including those residing outside the sate. This comes days after PM Modi said the Centre was committed to implementing the UCC.
What does Uttarakhand UCC say?
The Uniform Civil Code Act of Uttarakhand prohibits polygamy, requiring mentally sound people of age 21 (for men) and 18 (for women) to marry each other.
The new Act also abolishes any difference between legitimate and illegitimate children with regards to property rights. Children who are adopted, surrogate or conceived through assisted technology will be treated equally to biological children.
The UCC Act sets equal rights in property for sons and daughters.
The law also stipulates that after a person's death, the spouse, children and parent will have equal rights to their property.
