Uttarakhand becomes the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code today. With its introduction, marriage, relationships, property, polygamy, and various other aspects will see a transformation. Marriage registration is now mandatory, and the laws of divorce will be uniform across all religions. Practices like polygamy and halala will be discontinued.
Let's explore the changes that the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code will bring to Uttarakhand.
Mandatory Marriage Registration within 6 Months
1- Enacting the UCC makes marriage registration mandatory for everyone. Facilities have been developed to assist people in registering their marriages online, preventing them from frequent visits to government offices. The cutoff date is set to March 27, 2010. Marriages occurring after this date must be registered within six months.
Registration of Live-in Relationships Is Compulsory
2- In the Uniform Civil Code, parental permission is compulsory for live-in relationships. Couples must declare their relationships in front of a registrar and inform them if they wish to end the relationship. Children born from live-in relationships will be considered legitimate. In case of a live-in breakup, women can claim maintenance. If a couple lives together for more than a month without informing the registrar, a fine of 10,000 INR may be imposed.
The registrar will inform the couple’s parents or guardians about their registration, which will be kept confidential.
Sons and Daughters Share Equal Rights to Property
3- Property rights now ensure no discrimination among children, whether biologically related, born via assisted means, or from live-in relationships. All religions and communities within this law will provide daughters equal rights to property, ensuring a fair distribution.
Parents Also Have Property Rights
4- Upon a person’s death, all family members, including the spouse, children, and parents, will have equal rights to the deceased’s property, preventing disputes over inheritance.
Ban on Halala and Polygamy
5- The UCC in effect in Uttarakhand prohibits the Islamic practice of halala and also bans polygamy.
Minimum Marriage Age Set, Muslims Included
6- People can marry according to their customs, but the minimum marriage age across all religions is set at 21 for boys and 18 for girls. Muslim girls will also not be able to marry before turning 18.
Freedom to Bequeath Entire Asset
7- Post-UCC implementation, a person can bequeath their entire property. Prior to this, separate succession laws existed for Muslims, Christians, and Parsis. Now, the rules are uniform for everyone.
Registration of Both Marriage and Divorce
8- Like birth and death registrations, this law requires registering both marriages and divorces, which can also be done through a web portal.
Cannot Adopt a Child from Another Religion
9- UCC allows child adoption within any religion. However, adopting a child from another religion is not permissible.
Scheduled Tribes Excluded from UCC
10- Under Article 342 of the Constitution, scheduled tribes are excluded from the UCC, preserving their customs and traditions. There will be no changes in the practices of transgenders either.
Government Launches Website
The Uttarakhand Government has launched a website for marriage and live-in relationship registration with the address ucc.uk.gov.in. A fee of 500 INR is required for live-in registration. Users must first create an account on this site, after which they’ll receive instructions on the necessary documents. Post submission, live-in registration must be completed within 15 days.
The website also provides information on registering marriages, divorces, and bequests.
