Uttarakhand is going to create history today. It will become the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The historic law will be implemented at 12:30 pm, just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state. According to officials, the UCC will be applicable across the state and will also apply to Uttarakhand residents living outside the state.
The UCC portal will be launched today at the state secretariat, which will be headed by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. A day earlier (on January 26), CM Dhami had said that the UCC would lay the foundation for a harmonious society free from discrimination on the basis of religion, gender, caste or community.
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Preparations Completed: CM Dhami
CM Dhami further said, “We are fulfilling our commitments. The removal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir is an example of this. The state government has completed its work and is ready to implement the Uniform Civil Code across the state from January 2025.”
‘We Are Ready to Deliver on Our Promise’: CM Dhami on UCC Implementation
The Chief Minister further said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we had promised to implement the Uniform Civil Code before the 2022 state elections. After the formation of the government, we made it a priority. A draft of the Uniform Civil Code was prepared and an Act was introduced. Now we are going to fully and formally fulfil that promise. This will be in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of building a harmonious India, where there will be no discrimination on the basis of religion, gender, caste or community.”‘
Goa Already Has UCC in Place
Goa has been given special status under the Indian Constitution and the Parliament has passed a law giving Goa the right to implement the Portuguese Civil Code. Hence, Goa is the only state where the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is already in force. Now, Uttarakhand will become the first state to implement UCC after independence.
What is Uniform Civil Code (UCC)?
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) means that there will be a single law for all citizens living in the country, irrespective of their religion, caste or gender. If a state implements the civil code, it will apply the same law to all citizens in matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, property division and live-in relationships.
Along with marriage, it will also be mandatory for couples living in live-in relationships to register their relationship.
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