The state assembly of Uttarakhand has recently introduced a proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which mandates that live-in partners must register themselves. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in imprisonment for a period of up to six months, a fine of Rs 25,000, or both. Today, the UCC bill was presented in the state assembly.
Individuals who are currently in or planning to enter into live-in relationships are advised to register themselves under Uttarakhand’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC) once it is enacted. Failure to comply with the regulations may result in a jail term of up to six months and a fine of Rs 25,000, or both.
A bill proposing the implementation of the UCC, which aims to establish uniform laws regarding marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance for all citizens regardless of their religious background, was presented in the Uttarakhand assembly today amidst the chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Vande Mataram”.
According to the proposed legislation, individuals below the age of 21 must obtain parental consent and provide a statement to the Registrar indicating their residency status in Uttarakhand.
Additional regulations within the Uttarakhand UCC include:
Under the proposed UCC in Uttarakhand, individuals who choose to reside in a live-in relationship for a duration exceeding one month without submitting a statement may face penalties, including imprisonment for a maximum of three months or a fine of Rs 10,000, or both.
If live-in partners choose to withhold information or provide false statements in their undertaking, they will be subject to imprisonment for a maximum of three months and a fine not exceeding Rs 25,000, or both, as stated in the proposed UCC.
The statements provided by live-in partners will be forwarded to the officer in charge of a local police station. In case the details provided in the statement are found to be incorrect, the authorities will inform the police station accordingly.
According to the Uttarakhand UCC, a woman who finds herself abandoned in a live-in relationship has the right to approach the court and claim maintenance.
Furthermore, the UCC provisions state that a child born within a live-in relationship will be recognized as the legitimate child of the couple.
UCC in Uttarakhand:
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami introduced the UCC bill during today’s session of the state assembly. As a symbolic gesture, he carried an original copy of the Constitution while entering the assembly.
Once this bill is enacted, Uttarakhand will become the first state in the country, post-Independence, to embrace the UCC.
The passage of this legislation on the UCC will fulfill a significant commitment made by the BJP to the people of the state during the lead-up to the 2022 Assembly elections. The saffron party’s resounding victory for the second consecutive term propelled them to power.
Several BJP-governed states, such as Gujarat and Assam, have expressed their eagerness to emulate the Uttarakhand UCC as a model.