By Ishika Satwika Singh
July 07, 2023
UCC refers to a common set of laws that will include customary laws across all faiths and tribes and also govern issues such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and maintenance.
Uttarakhand is the first state to set up an expert committee to examine the possibility of drafting a code that would pave the way for having uniform set of laws for all communities.
The main focus of the proposed UCC draft for Uttarakhand is “safeguarding the interests of women, children, and the differently-abled” and it also covers issues including marriage, divorce succession, guardianship, custody, and inheritance.
The implementation of UCC in Uttarakhand will strengthen the society, promote gender equality and help fight economic, social and religious inequalities.
On 27 June, PM Modi said that India cannot run on two laws and that UCC was part of the Constitution. This statement triggered a debate as several opposition leaders accused the PM of raising the UCC issue for political gains as elections approach.
UCC would provide one law for the entire nation (including all religious communities) in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc.