CM Dhami Approves UCC Draft, Bill To Be Tabled In Uttarakhand Assembly On Feb 5

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill got a nod from the Uttarakhand Cabinet after a detailed meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday. According to the reports, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill that aims to bring uniformity in civil laws is likely to be presented in the Uttarakhand Assembly on February 6. The cabinet meet was held at Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami's residence.

After the bill gets passed in the state assembly, Uttarakhand will become the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code.

The reports said the file of the UCC bill was handed over to the CM Dhami by a five-member committee headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, who cross-checked all the legal drafts and points.

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) advocates uniform marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance laws for all citizens, irrespective of their religion. The bill will also push a complete ban on polygamy and child marriage.

Reports suggest that the minimum age for marriage for girls is likely to be extended to 21 so that girls can complete their graduation before marriage.

To adopt the UCC bill officially, CM Dhami has called a special four-day session of the Uttarakhand Assembly slated for February 5 to 8, 2024.

However, the proposed draft has ignited robust responses from both political factions and religious entities within Uttarakhand.

The Muslim Service Organisation released a statement expressing its opposition to the Uniform Civil Code, citing it as conflicting with religious tenets. Members of the Muslim community have raised apprehensions, contending that the legislation appears to single out laws specific to a particular religion.