Dehradun: Uttarakhand scripted history on Monday by becoming the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
After launching the UCC portal, Dhami elaborated on the rules under the freshly-implemented legislation.
Under the UCC, which brings in common rules for marriage, inheritance, maintenance and other civil matters of all religions, polygamy has been totally banned in the northern state and daughters have been accorded equal rights in parental properties.
Dhami said no person of any religion will be allowed to marry for a second time as long as his/her spouse is alive. Daughters will have equal property rights in all religions.
Live-in relationships will have to be registered, following which the registrar will inform the parents of the couple’s decision.
Children born through live-in relationships will also have equal property rights.
“Minimum age for marriage has been made compulsory in all religions — 21 years for a boy and 18 years for a girl. Second marriage is completely prohibited while the husband or wife is alive. Clear laws have also been made in the Uniform Civil Code regarding property division and child rights. Under these laws, daughters have also been given equal property rights in all religions and communities. Children born through live-in relationships will also be considered to have equal rights in property… In this law, registration for live-in relationships has been made mandatory. The registrar will give the information of the couple to their parents, this information will be kept completely confidential,” Dhami was quoted as saying by ANI.
Stressing that UCC is a constitutional measure to end discrimination, Dhami reiterated that it is not against any religion or sect and there is “no question of targeting anyone.”
January 27 will be celebrated every as Uniform Civil Code Day in Uttarakhand, the CM announced.
