Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the formation of a committee to review every aspect of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), stating that its implementation in the state would be prioritized.
Speaking to ANI, more than a week after President Droupadi Murmu approved the bill, CM Dhami said, “We had promised the Uniform Civil Code to the people of Uttarakhand. When we went to the people during the 2022 election, we promised that we would implement the UCC soon after the new government was formed. We have kept that promise.”
“The President has also given her assent. The process is underway. A committee has also been formed at the departmental level. It is examining all aspects. We will implement it at the earliest,” CM Dhami said.
“All the difficulties or challenges are going to come to an end,” he said.
CM Dhami stated that the law has been enacted for the “convenience of everyone.”
“It is a good law for everyone. It is about women’s empowerment; for elders, it is about their security; care has been taken for the future of the children. We have enacted the law for the convenience of everyone. The people of Uttarakhand have already bestowed their blessings on us for this work,” he said.
“Marriage registration and other details…one has to make several rounds to government offices… (all those things) It will be simplified (with the implementation of the UCC). It will be much easier for the people,”CM Dhami said.
Earlier this month, President Droupadi Murmu sanctioned Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2024, paving the way for it to become the first state in the country to enforce the UCC.
The Dhami government introduced the bill on February 6, and it was passed with a comfortable majority during a special session of the Uttarakhand assembly the following day.
The UCC Bill is an initiative in India aimed at implementing standardized regulations for personal affairs among all citizens. These affairs encompass aspects such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and property rights. The proposed UCC would be applicable to all citizens without discrimination based on religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
The UCC is included in the Constitution as part of the non-justiciable directive principles of state policy. While certain members of the Constituent Assembly pushed for its compulsory implementation, others voiced apprehensions regarding its potential infringement on religious liberties and cultural diversity.