National Desk, 6th February: Uttarakhand stands on the brink of pioneering the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India as the bill progresses to the Assembly floor for discussion. Today, during a special assembly session, the bill is scheduled for presentation, drawing considerable attention for its objective of instituting a unified set of personal laws applicable to all citizens, regardless of religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
Crafted under the stewardship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the UCC bill received approval from the state cabinet on February 4, marking a significant step towards social reform and equality. Key aspects of the bill include provisions ensuring equal property rights for sons and daughters, eliminating distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children, and incorporating both adopted and biological offspring in matters of inheritance.
Moreover, the bill advocates for the prohibition of polygamy and child marriage, promotes a uniform marriageable age for girls across all faiths, and aims to streamline grounds and procedures for divorce.
The culmination of extensive consultations and public engagement, the final draft of the UCC spans an extensive 740 pages across four volumes. A five-member panel, led by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, presented the comprehensive draft to Chief Minister Dhami on February 2, marking a significant milestone in the legislative journey.
During the drafting phase, citizens actively participated, with over 2.33 lakh written suggestions submitted online and more than 70 meetings held to gather feedback. With approximately 60,000 individuals contributing to these discussions, the draft embodies a collective endeavor to establish a progressive legal framework resonating with Uttarakhand’s diverse populace.
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