Live-In Relationships

Uttarakhand Assembly Debuts with Congress’ Stance on Uniform Civil Code, While Introducing New Law to Register Live-In Relationships Under Penalty of 6-Month Jail The Uttarakhand Assembly recently witnessed a heated debate as the Pushkar Singh Dhami government introduced the Uniform Civil Code bill. While the Congress leader, Yashpal Arya, stated that the party is not against the bill, he accused the BJP of suppressing the voice of MLAs based on their numbers. With the passage of the UCC Bill, Uttarakhand aims to become the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code. Additionally, the state plans to require individuals in live-in relationships to register themselves under penalty of 6-month jail if they fail to comply. Find out more about the provisions and implications of this new law in our latest blog post. The Pushkar Singh Dhami government in Uttarakhand has taken a significant step by introducing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill in the state assembly. This move fulfills a major promise made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the 2022 Assembly polls. If the bill is passed, Uttarakhand will become the first state in the country to implement the UCC. Interestingly, the Congress leader, Yashpal Arya, stated that the Congress is not against the UCC bill. This shows that there is some level of agreement between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party on this issue. However, Yashpal Arya also accused the BJP of suppressing the voice of MLAs based on their numbers. It seems there are differing opinions within the Congress party regarding the UCC bill. Harish Rawat, another Congress leader, criticized the Dhami government for not following rules and being eager to pass the bill. It is important to note that these differing opinions within the Congress party reflect the broader debate surrounding the UCC. So, what exactly does the UCC entail for individuals in Uttarakhand? Once the UCC becomes law, individuals will be required to register themselves in live-in relationships. Parental consent will also be necessary for individuals below the age of 21 who wish to live together. However, it’s important to mention that not all live-in relationships will be registered. Cases that are against public policy and morality, involve a married or involved partner, a minor partner, or consent obtained through coercion, fraud, or misrepresentation will not be eligible for registration. To facilitate the registration process, a website is being prepared where individuals can provide details of their live-in relationships. These details will then be verified by the District Registrar through a summary inquiry. If registration is refused, the Registrar must provide a written statement, and the termination of registered relationships will also require a written statement. It’s worth noting that failure to submit declarations or providing false information can result in jail time or fines. However, it is a positive development that children born out of live-in relationships will receive legal recognition and be considered legitimate. Additionally, all children will have equal rights in inheritance and parental property. The UCC aims to establish a set of laws applicable to all citizens, regardless of religion, for personal matters. This move towards a uniform civil code has been a topic of extensive discussion and engagement with the public in Uttarakhand. Finally, it’s worth mentioning that Assam also plans to implement a uniform civil code, with tribal communities being exempt. This highlights the diversity of approaches that different states are taking in implementing the UCC.