- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: Uttarakhand is poised to make history today by becoming the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). This legislation will apply not only within the state but also to Uttarakhand residents living elsewhere.
The UCC will be officially launched around 12:30 pm, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami unveiling the UCC portal, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state.
The UCC rules, approved by the Uttarakhand government, have notably omitted controversial measures for a separate process to resolve disputes related to personal laws. The initial proposals from the Shatrughan Singh Committee, presented to the Chief Minister on October 18, 2024, underwent revisions, condensing the extensive 400-page document to under 100 pages. Only provisions concerning marriage registration, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships were retained.
Key features of the UCC include equal property rights for sons and daughters, a prohibition on polygamy, and a mandate for monogamy. It establishes that men must be at least 21 and women 18 to marry, with religious customs allowed for the marriage ceremony, though registration will be compulsory.
The law also abolishes the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children regarding property rights, recognizing all children as biological offspring. Furthermore, adopted children, those born through surrogacy, or conceived via assisted reproductive technology will have equal status to biological children. Upon an individual’s death, the law ensures equal property rights for the spouse and children, extending these rights to the deceased’s parents as well.
