Uttarakhand's Uniform Civil Code Becomes Law After President Murmu's Approval

President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Uniform Civil Code Act passed by the Uttarakhand Assembly.

With the President's approval, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Uttarakhand, Bill 2024, which seeks to "govern and regulate the laws related to marriage and divorce, successions, live-in relationships, and matters related thereto" has become law.

The bill was presented in the Assembly on 6 February by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and was passed on 7 February, following which it was sent for approval.

"It is a moment of great joy and pride for all the people of the state that the Uniform Civil Code Bill passed by our government in the Uttarakhand Assembly has been approved by the Honourable resident Draupadi Murmu ji," CM Dhami said in a post on X on Wednesday (13 March).

"Certainly, the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in the state will not only ensure equal rights for all citizens but also curb the harassment faced by women. The Uniform Civil Code will play a significant role in promoting harmony and proving the significance of social equality in the state," he added.

The UCC law makes halala, iddat, and triple talaq – practices governing marriage and divorce under the Muslim personal law – punishable offences.

The bill also makes registration of live-in relationships mandatory, and proposes equal property inheritance rights to sons and daughters. It also makes the legal age for marriage, for both men and women, uniform across religions.

The UCC was one of the major poll promises of the BJP in the run-up to the state Assembly elections in February 2022.

The panel for drafting the UCC was announced after the first Cabinet meeting of the newly-formed Uttarakhand government.

The panel received over 2.3 lakh suggestions from the public, most of which were received through letters, registered posts, emails, and written suggestions through its online portal.

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