10 January, Bareilly: This month, Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, announced that he will implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in his state. This would make Uttarakhand the first state in India to pass a law, that provides uniform regulations for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and succession for all citizens, except Scheduled Tribes. During the opening ceremony of the 29th Uttarayani Mela held in Bareilly, Mr. Dhami referred to UCC as an important milestone in the development of Uttarakhand and equated it to the life-giving rivers of Uttarakhand.
This would mean all marriages and live-in relationships must be registered, a first in so many ways for this country. Although it was passed in the Uttarakhand Assembly in late January 2023, the law was given the green light by President Droupadi Murmu in March 2024. Mr. Dhami said that expert panels hired by the state were the ones who wished beyond their means and fashioned such a wide draft.
Turning attention to tourism projects, the Chief Minister mentioned development works such as the Ganga Corridor in Haridwar and Rishikesh, and the Sharda Corridor to improve the ghats of Purnagiri. “We are making sure that Uttarakhand is the place for tourism and even weddings,” he said in a speech about temple repair efforts and handicraft support.
Regarding governance, Mr. Dhami explained the new anti-riot and anti-d cheating laws passed by the state that have now seen over a hundred people arrested for exam malpractice. He also mentioned the recovery of five thousand acres of land encroached on as a part of the measures against land jihad.
This announcement comes ahead of the 28th National Games which will be hosted in Uttarakhand, with the inauguration by Prime Minister Modi set for January 28. The festivities of the Uttarayani Mela, held during the winter season, promote various forms of traditions of the state including music, dancing, and a wide range of flavors, attracting numerous people in the region.
The UCC has been part of the wider BJP agenda across the country, and now gives Uttarakhand a political and social reformist identity in that it provides a case for equal rights and rule.
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