February 7, 2024: The Uttarakhand Assembly on Wednesday passed the landmark Uniform Civil Code Bill with 80% MLAs vote during a special session.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, during the debate on the Uniform Civil Code, said on Wednesday that the state legislature is going to create history with the passing of the Uniform Civil Code and that every citizen of the state is filled with pride.

The Uniform Civil Code which proposes similar or uniform laws for all communities, was tabled yesterday during the special session by the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister thanked all assembly members, including those of opposition, for sharing their thoughts on the UCC. CM Dhami stated that the UCC is not an ordinary bill but an 'outstanding' one.

"It is a dream that is going to become reality and will start in Uttarakhand," the Chief Minister said.

The CM added that the Uniform Civil Code Bill can be amended in the future if there is a need to include specific clause. "We can amend UCC (act) in future if there is need to include specific clause," CM Dhami said.

The bill contains the laws relating to marriage, divorce, succession, live-in relationships, and related matters. Among the many proposals, the Uniform Civil Code Bill makes it compulsory for live-in relationships to be registered under the law.

The bill also imposes a complete ban on child marriage and introduces a uniform process for divorce. The Code provides equal rights to women of all religions in their ancestral property.

The age for marriage will be 18 for women and 21 for men in all communities. Marriage registration is mandatory in all religions and marriages without registration will be invalid. No divorce petition will be allowed to be filed after one year of marriage.