In a historic move, the Uttarakhand Assembly tabled the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill on Tuesday, marking a significant step towards its implementation in the state. If passed, Uttarakhand would become the first state in India, after Goa, to adopt the UCC, which has been operational in the latter since the era of Portuguese rule.

The introduction of the UCC Bill in Uttarakhand has spurred enthusiasm in neighboring states, with Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan expressing eagerness to follow suit. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya lauded Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s government for initiating the bill, hinting at its imminent introduction in Uttar Pradesh.

Similarly, Rajasthan Minister Kanhaiya Lal Choudhary affirmed efforts to ensure that Rajasthan becomes the second state after Uttarakhand to implement the UCC. The sentiment was echoed by BJP MLA Gopal Sharma, who expressed support for bringing the UCC to Rajasthan, emphasizing the importance of uniform laws across the country.

The UCC Bill proposes a common legal framework governing various aspects such as marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance for all citizens, irrespective of their religion, in the state, except for the Scheduled Tribes.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami hailed the move as a step towards granting equal rights to all citizens of the state. He expressed pride in Uttarakhand’s pioneering initiative towards implementing the UCC, emphasizing its significance for the nation.

The Uttarakhand government convened a special four-day session of the Assembly to deliberate on and table the legislation, underscoring the importance attached to this transformative legal reform.