U'khand first state to bring UCC into force

Uttarakhand on Monday became the first Indian state to roll out a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across the state with chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launching a portal for registration of marriage, divorce, live-in relationships and wills, and releasing rules for the implementation of the controversial legislation.

- Neeraj Santoshi

The move marks a major ideological achievement for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which rules the Himalayan state. UCC is part of a troika of core goals of the BJP, in addition to the Ram Temple and the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir. The Uttarakhand law is expected to act as a model legislation for other states that aim to implement UCC.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by subsection (2) of section 1 of The Uniform Civil Code, Uttarakhand, 2024 (Act no 3 of 2024), the governor hereby appoints the date 27th January 2025 as the date on which the said Code shall come into force," the notification implementing UCC said. Dhami was the first person to register his marriage on the UCC portal that listed services under nine heads-registration of marriage, registration of divorce, registration of live-in relationships, termination of live-in relationships, declaration of heirs, registration of wills, appeals against decisions, accessing data, and filing complaints.

"Today, post-Independence, Uttarakhand has become the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code. A portal has been prepared for registration. January 27th will be celebrated as UCC Diwas every year," said Dhami.

"I hope the Gangotri of UCC after originating from Uttarakhand will flow to the rest of the country and inspire the whole nation," he added.

After him, five other people registered their marriages.

"I am happy to be among the first ones to register my marriage under the UCC. It is important for everyone to get registered under the law... it will bring a good change in the society," Uttarakhand resident Manoj Rawat said.

However, the Congress called the move "a political manoeuvre" instead of "social necessity" and Muslim groups said they will move the Supreme Court and high court against the implementation of the common code.