GUWAHATI: On January 27, Uttarakhand took a historic step by becoming the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). This move aims to create a unified legal framework for all citizens, ensuring equality by applying the same set of laws across all castes, religions, and communities.
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Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the implementation by unveiling the official notification, introducing the rules for its enforcement, and launching a dedicated portal for mandatory online registration of marriages, divorces, and live-in relationships.
Key Changes Introduced by the UCC:
-Mandatory Registration of Marriages: All marriages must now be registered, providing legal recognition and protection for couples.
-Standardized Divorce Laws: Divorce rules will now be uniform across all communities, eliminating disparities previously based on religion or caste.
-Minimum Age for Marriage: The legal marriage age is standardised at 18 for girls and 21 for boys, promoting consistency across all communities.
-Ban on Halala and Iddat Practices:
Halala, a practice requiring divorced women to marry and divorce another man before remarrying their first husband, is now abolished.
Iddat, a waiting period observed by women after divorce or the death of a spouse, will no longer be enforced.
-Equality in Property Rights: Both boys and girls will have equal inheritance rights, promoting gender equality in matters of property.
-Regulation of Live-In Relationships: Live-in relationships must now be registered, granting legal recognition and ensuring rights for those involved. If either partner is underage, parental consent is required. Children born out of live-in relationships will enjoy the same legal rights as those born to married couples.
-Monogamy Enforced: It is now illegal for either spouse to remarry while both are alive, reinforcing the principle of monogamy.
-Adoption Rules: All religions retain the right to adopt children, but cross-religion adoptions are prohibited under the new framework.
-Exclusion of Scheduled Tribes: Scheduled Tribes are exempt from the UCC, with their specific laws and practices remaining intact.
