“Uniform Civil Code” First step taken In Uttarakhand: Dhami

A part of the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution, Article 44 reads, “The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India”. On November 18, 2021, the Allahabad High Court stressed that the Uniform Civil Code is mandatory. The single-judge bench of Justice Suneet Kumar was hearing a batch of 17 petitions pertaining to protection sought by interfaith couples.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami vowed to implement UCC in the BJP-ruled state. Apr 14 (PTI) Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday said the first step towards introducing Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand has been taken as the state cabinet has given its nod to set up a committee to draft it. Addressing the 63rd foundation day of the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) here which coincided with Ambedkar Jayanti, Dhami said there is a provision for UCC for all citizens in Article 44 of the Constitution and even the Supreme Court has endorsed its introduction in its rulings from time to time. CM Dhami mentioned that Uttarakhand will act as an example to the rest of the nation having said that state government unanimously arrived at this decision. “Keeping our pre-poll promise, we cleared a proposal to constitute a committee to draft Uniform Civil Code at the very first meeting of our cabinet,” the chief minister said. During the first cabinet ministers meeting, we unanimously decided that Uniform Civil Code will be implemented across Uttarakhand. We have decided to formulate a committee in this regard, and the committee will be responsible to make a draft of UCC regulations. Individuals who have worked in the sphere of law and regulation shall be taken on board to draft these laws. We hope that all states bring UCC,” the Uttarakhand Chief Minister said. He said that We need Uniform Civil Code as we share our borders with two countries. Every family in Uttarakhand has someone in the armed forces. Uttarakhand is also a cultural and spiritual centre.” Every institution in Uttarakhand will have to play a role in making it one of the leading states in the country by 2025 when it will celebrate 25 years of its existence and suggested that the IIP adopt 10 border villages and contribute to their development.