Lawmakers in Uttarakhand, a small Indian state governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have approved a groundbreaking legislation to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across religions. This move, which bans polygamy and certain Muslim practices, is a historic step as it makes Uttarakhand the first state in India since independence to implement a UCC. Currently, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and other minority groups in India follow their own personal laws and customs.
The UCC, rooted in the Indian Constitution, aims to put an end to the religious interpretation of laws related to marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, adoption, and succession. The legislation guarantees equal rights to men and women on various issues, such as divorce, ancestral property rights, and the rights of adopted children. The minimum marriage age for both genders is also set by the code.
While proponents argue that the UCC promotes equality and empowers women, it has faced opposition from some leaders of India’s 200-million-strong Muslim minority. Muslims accuse the BJP of pursuing a Hindu agenda that discriminates against them and infringes on their faith. The UCC has been a contentious issue, and its implementation in Uttarakhand is likely to set a precedent for other BJP-ruled states.
The legislation also mandates the registration of marriages and requires couples in live-in relationships to submit notices to a government office. Terminations of live-in relationships must also be reported to the police. Critics argue that the UCC is patriarchal and infringes on privacy rights, while supporters claim it reflects the evolving societal norms and practices. The move is part of the BJP’s broader agenda, including the removal of autonomy in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 and the construction of a temple to Hindu deity Ram, replacing a mosque demolished in 1992.
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