Uttarakhand is set to implement the Uniform Civil Code-UCC or Common Civil Code-CCC by October, with the release of a pivotal research report today.
The State Government’s announcement comes following the completion of a comprehensive research report, which served as the foundation for the UCC’s passage earlier this year. Scheduled for release on the official State Government website, the report aims to inform the public about the rationale behind the UCC and its impending implementation.
A press conference at 12:30 pm was scheduled to unveil the research findings, emphasising the regulatory framework and procedural rules crafted by a committee led by former chief secretary Shatrughan Singh.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude to the electorate for their mandate, stating, “The people of Uttarakhand entrusted us with the task of implementing the UCC. With its introduction, legal complexities will be simplified, ensuring easier access to justice and uniformity across all sectors.”
Earlier, a committee chaired by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai submitted an exhaustive 800-page final draft report to the Chief Minister. The UCC in Uttarakhand notably exempts tribal communities, incorporates provisions for live-in relationships, and prohibits polygamy under Muslim personal law.
Key provisions of the UCC include raising the marriageable age of women to 21 years, mandatory marriage registration, and regulations for live-in couples to inform their parents. It also discontinues practices like halala and iddat, traditionally used in resolving marital disputes among Muslims, and provides equal divorce rights irrespective of faith.
Additionally, the UCC has reportedly recommended measures for population control, including advocating for a cap on the number of children. These initiatives are set to usher in significant legal reforms in Uttarakhand, aiming for equitable and harmonised civil laws across the State.
