In keeping with his election promise, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday announced the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and said that the state cabinet had unanimously approved that a committee of experts would be constituted soon. He said Uttarakhand would be the first state to implement the national code but quickly added that “probably it has already been implemented in Goa”.
The Uniform Civil Code has been one of the major electoral plaques of the BJP for decades. The Saffron Party is a strong advocate for the UCC and its MPs have previously listed private member bills, supporting its implementation.
Addressing the media after his first state cabinet meeting, Dhami said the BJP-led state government would form a committee which would “prepare a draft of the UCC and our government would implement it”. “We have decided to implement the Uniform Civil Code. The state. The state cabinet has unanimously approved that a committee (experts) will be formed soon and it will be implemented in the state. We hope other states will follow us,” he said.
“We are a Himalayan state with a distinct cultural and religious heritage. We also share borders with the two countries. Thus, a uniform civil code is required. It has provisions in Article 44 of the Constitution. Even the Supreme Court has in the past expressed dissatisfaction with its non-implementation, ”he added.
Dhami, who was sworn in as Uttarakhand chief minister for the second consecutive term on Wednesday, said he would provide a transparent government and fulfill all the BJP’s pre-election promises, including bringing a uniform civil code to the state.
‘An Important Step’
On February 12, Dhami promised that if the BJP was re-elected to power in Uttarakhand, it would form a committee to draft a uniform civil law soon after its new government was sworn in. On the panel of legal experts, retirees, intellectuals, and other stakeholders, he announced on the last day of campaigning for 70 Assembly seats in Uttarakhand that the vote was held on 14 February.
The scope of the committee will cover issues related to marriage, divorce, land ownership and inheritance, he said in a video statement in Hindi, There will also be steps that introduce the idea of a fair law for all citizens of society, regardless of their religion. ”
Also read: Uniform Civil Code vs. Personal Law: How ‘same family rules for all’ will benefit women. Explained
From time to time, the Supreme Court has also stressed the need for a uniform civil code and expressed concern that no action has been taken in this direction, he said, adding that the BJP government in Uttarakhand would be inspired by the decision. Which has set an example to the country by enforcing a uniform civil code from Goa. A uniform civil law would strengthen women’s empowerment as well as promote social harmony and gender equality, Dhami added.
For the unexpected, in 2019, a bench of the Supreme Court expressed frustration over the lack of UCC, saying, To date, no action has been taken in this regard. “
What is the Uniform Civil Code?
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) essentially calls for the enactment of a law for India, which applies to all religious communities in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, etc. That state will strive to secure a uniform civil code for citizens across Indian territory.
Also read: What is the Uniform Civil Code that the Delhi High Court wants the government to enforce? Learn its history, importance
Currently, different laws govern these aspects in India for followers of different religions, for example, Hindu Marriage Act, Hindu Inheritance Act, Indian Christian Marriage Act, Persian Marriage Act and Divorce Act. However, Muslim personal law is not codified and is based on their religious texts.
About Goa Civil Code
Goa follows the Portuguese Civil Code, 1867, also known as the Uniform Civil Code. After liberation from Portuguese rule, the code survives on the basis of section 5 (1) of the Goa, Suppression and Administration Act, 1962. Its continuation is the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and the extent of non-introduction of Hindu inheritance. Act, 1956 or the Indian Inheritance Act, 1925 or the Shariat (Application) Act, 1937.
(With input from PTI)
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