Landmark UCC Bill Tabled in Uttarakhand Assembly: How Will it Impact Child Adoption Rules?

Dehrun: In a landmark move, Uttarakhand has taken a significant step towards option of Uniform Civil Code (UCC). bill, presented in state assembly on Tuesday by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, aims to establish uniform marriage, divorce, land, property and inheritance laws for all citizens in Uttarakhand irrespective of ir religious affiliations. Once Uttarakhand assembly approves final draft of Uniform Civil Code, state will become first one post-Independence, after Goa, to implement UCC. 

comprehensive 800-page report, crafted by a five-member committee and submitted to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, suggests exempting tribal communities from UCC's purview. report prioritises women's empowerment and proposes measures such as prohibiting polygamy, establishing a uniform marriage age across religions, and dressing issues like marriage, inheritance, divorce, option, and maintenance.

committee's recommendations encompass various aspects, including making practices like Halala, Iddat, and Triple Talaq under Muslim personal law will be punishable offences. According to bill tabled in assembly today, both genders will get equal inheritance rights. Women will enjoy equal inheritance rights as Men. Moreover, a formal declaration of a live-in relationship will be mandatory. Once approved by Uttarakhand Assembly, finalised UCC draft is expected to serve as a model for or states considering similar reforms. 

Impact of UCC on option

potential impact of UCC on option laws is noteworthy. Uniformity in option regulations may grant communities (that were previously restricted legal option to opt) legal right to opt. Currently, Hindu option and Maintenance Act of 1956 is applicable only to Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists.

CM Dhami carries a copy of Indian Constitution to Assembly

In a symbolic gesture, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami left his residence in Dehrun with a copy of Indian Constitution. He entered assembly with original copy of Constitution before presenting Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill in State Assembly today. ongoing session of state assembly was convened especially for passage of UCC bill.

Treasury benches welcomed tabling of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill with thumping of desks and chants of ‘Jai Sri Ram’ and ‘Vande Mataram’. Before bill was tabled, re were protests inside House by opposition members who said that y were not given time to study its provisions. Slogans were also raised by opposition members who were pacified after Speaker Ritu Khanduri assured m that y would get enough time to study bill.

"It seems government wants to pass bill without a debate in violation of legislative tritions," Leer of Opposition Yashpal Arya said.