"We are going to fulfil a promise...": Dhami says UCC Bill upholds PM Modi's vision of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], February 6 : Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday announced the introduction of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the Uttarakhand assembly, fulfilling a promise made ahead of the 2022 assembly elections.
CM Dhami credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing guidance and inspiration.
"With the guidance and inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today, we are going to fulfil a promise that we made to the people of the state before the 2022 assembly elections to bring a Uniform Civil Code in the state," CM Dhami said.
"Our government, taking all sections of the society along with full responsibility, today presented the Uniform Civil Code Bill in the Assembly. The historic moment is near for Devbhoomi when Uttarakhand will become a strong pillar of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'," he added.
Uttarakhand Minister Prem Chand Aggarwal said the UCC Committee conducted an exhaustive process, holding 72 meetings and receiving suggestions from over 2,72,000 individuals through emails and WhatsApp.

"UCC Committee held 72 meetings. Besides this, suggestions came from 2,72,000 people through email and WhatsApp," Minister Aggarwal said.
Support for the UCC Bill was voiced by various members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
BJP MLA Munna Singh Chauhan hailed the moment as historic and emphasised its potential positive impact across the country.
"Opposing (the Bill) was just for the sake of opposing it. They had nothing to say against the Bill. But I am thankful to PM Modi as he gave us, a small state like Uttarakhand, to lead the country in implementing the UCC," he said.

"I can say that today is a watershed moment in the life of the state of Uttarakhand. This will have a positive impact across the country. It is the need of the hour that the UCC is rolled out across the country," Chauhan added.
MLA Durgeshwar Lal expressed gratitude to CM Dhami for initiating the Bill and criticised Opposition parties for politicising the issue.
"First of all, I would like to congratulate everyone in Uttarakhand. They had been patiently awaiting the UCC (Bill). This was not just an election promise. I thank the CM for tabling the Bill today," Lal said.

"I think that what happened today is nothing short of historic. It is unfortunate that some are opposing it, as they don't want peace and order to prevail in the state and ensure that there are uniform civil laws for everyone. They were using people and some communities as vote banks. Today, CM Pushkar Dhami sent out a message to them and the people at large that everyone is the same in the eyes of the law," he added.
BJP MLA Khajan Dass anticipated the smooth passage of the UCC Bill in the assembly, citing it as a milestone for Uttarakhand.
"Discussions (on the UCC Bill) were held today. The Bill was tabled earlier today. Several members will put forth their views before this august House tomorrow. CM Dhami has scripted history today. This shining moment will live on in our memory and the history of Devbhoomi. I thank the CM. The Bill will be passed tomorrow, 101 per cent. The Bill should have been brought much earlier," he said.

"Congress has no issues (to raise). If they oppose it, this will prove costly for them," Dass said.
The legislative proceedings were adjourned till tomorrow at 11 am.
The ongoing special four-day session of the assembly began on Monday.
The MLAs chanted 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jai Shri Ram' inside the House as Dhami tabled the Bill. The House was then adjourned till 2 pm.
The Bill contains the laws relating to marriage, divorce, succession, live-in relationships, and related matters.
Among the many proposals, the Uniform Civil Code Bill makes it compulsory for live-in relationships to be registered under the law.
Once the proposed UCC Bill is in place, "live-in relationships" will have to get registered under the law within 1 month from the "date of entering into the relationship". To live in a live-in relationship, adults will have to obtain consent from their parents.
The Bill also imposes a complete ban on child marriage and introduces a uniform process for divorce. The Code provides equal rights to women of all religions in their ancestral property.
As per the UCC Bill, the age for marriage will be 18 for women and 21 for men in all communities. Marriage registration is mandatory in all religions and marriages without registration will be invalid.
No divorce petition will be allowed to be filed for one year of marriage.
Highlighting the ceremonies for marriage, the proposed UCC Bill noted that marriage may be solemnized or contracted between a man and a woman in accordance with the religious beliefs, practices, customary rites and ceremonies including but not limited to "Saptapadt", "Ashirvad", "Nikah", "Holy Union", "Anand Karaj" under the Anand Marriage Act 1909 as well as under, but not limited to, The Special Marriage Act, 1954 and Arya Marriage Validation Act, 1937.
However, nothing contained in the proposed UCC Bill will be applied to the members of any Scheduled Tribes within the meaning of clause (25) of Article 366 read with Article 342 of the Constitution of India and the persons and group of persons whose customary rights are protected under Part XXI of the Constitution of India.
Meanwhile, CM Dhami said that after the UCC Bill is passed, Uttarakhand will become a strong pillar of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "One India, Best India".
"With full responsibility, our government, taking all sections of the society along, has presented the Uniform Civil Code Bill in the Assembly. That historic moment is near for Devbhoomi when Uttarakhand will become a strong pillar of PM Modi ji's vision of One India, Best India," Dhami posted on X.