Introduction of UCC Bill:
Uttarakhand government to convene a special Legislative Assembly session to discuss and pass the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill.
The focus is on formulating a law applicable to all religions concerning marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.
Gender Equality and Property Rights:
Promoting gender equality extends to ensuring daughters have equal rights in ancestral properties.
No recommendation to raise the marriageable age for women, with the age retained at 18.
Scope of UCC Bill:
Broader focus on uniformity in personal laws, including marriage registration, divorce, property rights, inter-state property rights, maintenance, and custody of children.
Excludes consideration of religious customs and rituals related to marriages.
Mandatory Registration of Live-in Relationships:
The proposed legislation mandates the registration of live-in relationships.
Committee and Report:
A five-member committee, led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, is overseeing the UCC Bill.
The committee is expected to submit its report, which may serve as a template for the Union government’s UCC Bill.
Timeline and Background:
The Uttarakhand government established the expert committee in May 2022, fulfilling a BJP poll promise.
Committee’s tenure extended three times; the draft of the UCC Bill was completed in June.
Chief Minister’s Statement:
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expresses commitment to implementing the UCC as soon as the committee submits its report.
Committee Members:
The committee includes notable members such as retired judges, a social activist, and the Vice-Chancellor of Doon University.
Population Control Aspect:
The committee does not provide specific recommendations on the number of children for couples but acknowledges strong demands for a national-level law on population control.
National Initiatives:
Other BJP-ruled states like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have also initiated the process of implementing the UCC.
The Law Commission of India at the national level has started consultations on the UCC.
Concerns and Caution:
BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi raises concerns about the feasibility of UCC in tribal areas, highlighting differences in customs and traditions.
RSS-affiliate Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram suggests keeping tribals out of the UCC’s purview.
Conclusion
The Uttarakhand government’s move to convene a special assembly session on the Uniform Civil Code reflects a commitment to gender equality and property rights. The decision not to raise the marriageable age for women, emphasis on uniformity in personal laws, and the mandatory registration of live-in relationships are key features. The committee’s report may influence the Union government’s approach to the UCC, and while population control was discussed, no specific recommendations were made. The cautious approach to tribal areas and ongoing national initiatives demonstrate the complex and evolving nature of the UCC discourse.
