The Uttarakhand Assembly made history today by passing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill 2024, marking a significant legislative achievement. This landmark bill was approved by voice vote after a comprehensive two-day debate. The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, spearheaded the introduction of the bill, highlighting its importance as a step towards ensuring uniformity in civil laws across the state. With this move, Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to adopt such a code, underscoring its commitment to establishing a legal framework that applies equally to all citizens, irrespective of their religion.
The passage of the UCC Bill in Uttarakhand is seen as a fulfillment of a major promise made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the electorate in the run-up to the 2022 Assembly elections. The bill aims to standardize civil laws that cover marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption, thereby replacing personal laws based on the religious scriptures and customs of different communities with a common set of rules. This initiative is expected to promote equality and unity among the state’s diverse population, ensuring that all citizens are subject to the same legal standards.
The bill received an overwhelming majority in the state assembly, with 80% of the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) voting in favor. The next step for the bill is to receive the assent of the Governor of Uttarakhand, Gurmit Singh, before it becomes law. This legislative move has been met with varied reactions, with proponents lauding it as a step forward in achieving national integration and critics expressing concerns over its impact on cultural and religious diversity.
The UCC Bill’s passage in Uttarakhand is not just a local development but also sets a precedent for other states in India, potentially influencing the national discourse on the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code across the country. This development is a critical milestone in India’s legislative history and could pave the way for similar legislation in other states, aligning with the broader goal of uniformity in civil law envisaged by the Indian Constitution.
