Context:

    • The Uttarakhand Assembly will convene to pass the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in February.
  • On May 27, 2022, the Uttarakhand government announced that a five-member committee led by former Supreme Court Judge Ranjana Prakash Desai would submit a report with a draft of the Bill for the purpose.
  • However the UCC was met with opposition from rival political parties.
  • The report was initially meant to be submitted in November 2022.
  • But the deadline was extended multiple times, despite the Chief Minister announcing in June 2023 that the committee had completed its work.
  • Now, with the 2024 general elections approaching, the UCC is finally ready to be submitted.

What changes may be brought in by the Uttarakhand UCC?

  • The Uttarakhand government and the committee have stated that gender equality was one of the key considerations when preparing the report for the submission.
  • Along with uniform personal laws for all people residing in the state, the UCC will also introduce provisions that treat men and women equally in issues relating to inheritance.
  • The UCC will also reportedly reject the practices of polygamy, iddat, andalso halal in response to strong demands from Muslim women in the state.
  • However, the minimum age for marriage for both men and women will likely remain the same as it was previously that is 18 years for women and 21 years for men.
  • The UCC will also regulate live-in relationships and also require a mandatory declaration to start and terminate live-in relationships.

About UCC:

  • The main intent behind a UCC is to have a common set of laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens, irrespective of their religious affiliations.
  • India currently has different personal laws for different religious communities in accordance with its diversity.
  • Under Article 44 of the Indian Constitution (which is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy) it is noted that the state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for its citizens.