BJP TO HIGHLIGHT UTTARAKHAND UCC IN LOK SABHA CAMPAIGN

‘This law is not against anyone. It is for women who have to face difficulty because of social norms,’ CM Dhami said.

- RAHUL CHHABRA

Just before the parliamentary elections, the BJP government in Uttarakhand has seen through a landmark bill on Uniform Civil Code opening the door for the saffron party to claim success in fulfilling the longstanding promise, along with two other foundational issues like abrogation of Article 370 and Ram Mandir.

The Uniform Civil Code, which will be applicable within the state when it becomes a law, brings a common law for marriage, divorce, inheritance of property, etc., which were earlier governed by personal laws of every religion. Registration of marriages, including those by Muslims and Sikhs, will be a pre-condition for availing state government’s welfare schemes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a strong advocate of UCC, saying that it is envisioned in the Constitution and even the Supreme Court has asked for it to be implemented.

Over the years, the loudest opposition to the UCC has been from Muslims and the Sikhs whose marriage laws will be over-ridden with the implementation of the new legislation. However, the BJP has pursued the issue, calling it a matter aimed at the welfare of women who often suffer due to polygamy and desertion. Party sources said the passage of the UCC legislation in Uttarakhand may also be highlighted as a success story during the campaign for Lok Sabha elections.