"Historic day in history of Uttarakhand": Chief Minister Dhami after Assembly's nod to UCC bill

Calling the passage of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill in the Legislative Assembly a "Historic day in the history of Uttarakhand", Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Wednesday that the legislation benefits every section of the society adding that a promise has been fulfilled by the government made to the people.

The passage of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill in the Legislative Assembly marked a "historic day in the history of Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Wednesday. He emphasized that the legislation benefits every section of society, asserting that a government promise to the people has been fulfilled.

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill was passed with a comfortable majority during a special session of the Uttarakhand assembly on Wednesday. Speaking to ANI, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "This is a historic day in the history of Uttarakhand. The resolve we had taken before the people of the state and the promise we had made to the people of the state has now been met. Uttarakhand has made history today. The State Assembly passed the UCC Bill today, going a step ahead towards making this a law."

"The provisions ensure women's empowerment and children's safety. Parents, elders won't face problems going further," he added. The Uniform Civil Code which proposes similar or uniform laws for all communities, was tabled on Tuesday during the special session by the Chief Minister.

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.

The CM added that the Uniform Civil Code Bill can be amended in the future if there is a need to include specific clauses. 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 after one year of marriage.

Uttarakhand CM Dhami, during the debate on the Uniform Civil Code, said that the state legislature is going to create history with the passing of the Uniform Civil Code and that every citizen of the state is filled with pride. "Today, I want to congratulate all the people of the state on this occasion, because today the legislature of our Uttarakhand is going to create history. Being witnesses to this historical moment today, not only this House but every citizen of Uttarakhand is filled with pride. It is a feeling. Our government had promised to bring a uniform civil code to Uttarakhand to realise the mantra of 'One India, a Better India'," he said.

The Chief Minister thanked all assembly members, including those of opposition, for sharing their thoughts on the UCC. (ANI)

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