Uttarakhand to pass UCC bill in February: CM Dhami
What's the story
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said a five-member expert committee—formed to prepare a draft for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC)—will submit the document on Friday. After this, the government will introduce a bill in the assembly to implement the UCC. "Bringing a Uniform Civil Code was our pledge to the people," the CM said in a video statement on X (formerly Twitter).
Context
Why does this story matter?
The UCC aims to unify laws across different faiths and tribes, covering areas like marriage, divorce, inheritance, and maintenance. It has long been a constant in the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) manifesto. Alongside the construction of a Ram Mandir and the abrogation of Article 370 (which granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir), the UCC has been a focus area for the party. Ram Mandir's construction and the abrogation of Article 370 have already taken place.
In the assembly
1-day special session to pass UCC bill
In his statement, Dhami said, "We formed a committee in the leadership of Justice Ranjana Desai." "The committee has finished its work...they will submit the draft on February 2, after which we will assess it. We will put it in front of the cabinet," the CM added. He also said a special one-day assembly session would be held on February 5 to discuss and pass the UCC bill.
Twitter Post
Watch: Dhami's statement on UCC draft
समान नागरिक संहिता का ड्राफ्ट तैयार करने के लिए गठित कमेटी 2 फरवरी को ड्राफ्ट प्रदेश सरकार को सौंपेगी। हम देवभूमि उत्तराखण्ड के मूल स्वरूप को बनाए रखने के लिए संकल्पित हैं।#UCCInUttarakhand pic.twitter.com/SDfIdv6azN
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) January 29, 2024
Poll plank
UCC to be implemented before LS polls: Dhami
In a previous statement on X, Dhami expressed his government's resolve to implement the UCC before the Lok Sabha elections. "Our government has always been committed to implementing the UCC in the state in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'One India, Best India' before the elections," he said. In 2022, Dhami announced plans to implement the UCC in the state during the inaugural cabinet meeting.
Twitter Post
Read Dhami's statement here
आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के 'एक भारत,श्रेष्ठ भारत' के विजन और चुनाव से पूर्व उत्तराखण्ड की देवतुल्य जनता के समक्ष रखे गए संकल्प एवं उनकी आकांक्षाओं के अनुरूप हमारी सरकार प्रदेश में समान नागरिक संहिता लागू करने हेतु सदैव प्रतिबद्ध रही है।
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) January 29, 2024
यूनिफॉर्म सिविल कोड का…
2022
Expert panel chaired by retired SC justice
The aforementioned expert committee to draft the UCC was formed on May 27, 2022. Chaired by Supreme Court Justice (Retired) Desai, it comprises Delhi High Court Justice Pramod Kohli, former Chief Secretary Shatrughan Singh, Doon University Vice-Chancellor Surekha Dangwal, and social worker Manu Gaur. The panel's report is said to emphasize the importance of gender equality and equal rights for daughters concerning ancestral properties.
Insights
Gujarat and Assam likely to follow suit
According to reports, after the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly passes the UCC bill, two other BJP-ruled states—Gujarat and Assam—will likely pass similar bills in their assemblies. If all goes as planned, three states will enact the Uniform Civil Code before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, reports said.