The Aryavarth Express
Dehradun (Uttarakhand): Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday celebrated Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Day, marking the formal implementation of the UCC in the state. He described the occasion as a “golden chapter” in the state’s history, stating that the law would strengthen social justice, equality, and constitutional values.
The Chief Minister honoured members of the UCC drafting committee, administrative officials, and Village Level Consultants at a programme held at the Himalayan Cultural Centre in Garhi Cantt, acknowledging their role in the formulation and execution of the code.
Addressing the gathering, Dhami said the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code ensures equal rights for all citizens, regardless of religion, and promotes harmony in society. He said Sanatan culture has historically upheld equality and cited a verse from the Bhagavad Gita to emphasise impartiality and fairness towards all beings.
During the event, Dhami also visited a photo exhibition showcasing the journey of the Uniform Civil Code. He said the UCC empowers women and eliminates discriminatory practices such as halala, iddat, polygamy, child marriage, and triple talaq. According to the Chief Minister, since the law came into force, no cases of halala or polygamy have been reported in the state.
The Chief Minister said the concept of a Uniform Civil Code was enshrined in Article 44 of the Constitution by Dr B.R. Ambedkar and other framers, with the vision of having a common civil law for all citizens. He noted that the BJP government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, had committed to implementing the UCC in Uttarakhand in its 2022 Assembly election manifesto.
Dhami said the Uttarakhand Assembly passed the UCC Bill on February 7, 2024, and it received Presidential assent on March 11, 2024. After completing the required rules and procedures, the law was formally implemented in the state on January 27, 2025.
He said that multiple personal laws had historically led to inequality and injustice, particularly affecting women. With the introduction of the UCC, he said, a new phase of women’s empowerment has begun, adding that Muslim women in the state have welcomed the law due to the abolition of regressive practices.
Clarifying misconceptions, the Chief Minister said the Uniform Civil Code is not directed against any religion or community but is a legal framework to remove social evils and ensure equality. Under the UCC, uniform provisions have been introduced for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and child rights across all religions. The law ensures equal inheritance rights for spouses, children, and parents to prevent family disputes.
Addressing contemporary social issues, Dhami said the mandatory registration of live-in relationships has been introduced to protect the safety and dignity of young couples. He said children born out of such relationships are granted the same legal rights as other children.
Highlighting the impact of the UCC’s implementation, the Chief Minister said government services have become simpler, more transparent, and more accessible. He noted that daily marriage registrations have increased from an average of 67 to over 1,400, while more than 30 per cent of gram panchayats have achieved full registration coverage. In the past year, nearly five lakh applications were received under the UCC, with over 95 per cent successfully disposed of through online platforms and Common Service Centres.
Dhami also referred to recent amendments to the UCC, which received the Governor’s assent, stating that the changes include provisions to annul marriages conducted through identity concealment or false information, along with stricter penalties for cases involving force, fraud, or coercion in marriages and live-in relationships.
The Chief Minister said that the long-standing resolutions of abrogating Article 370 and implementing the Uniform Civil Code, first envisioned by leaders such as Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, have now been fulfilled. He added that the Uttarakhand model would inspire other states, comparing the flow of the UCC from Uttarakhand to the River Ganga nourishing the nation.
He also dismissed allegations of hate speech levelled by a US-based NGO, stating that speaking against religious conversion and encroachment on government land should not be misconstrued.
Key provisions of the Uniform Civil Code include uniform civil laws across religions, mandatory registration of live-in relationships, equal inheritance rights, legal protection for children, and strict action against polygamy and fraudulent marriages.
