The Uttarakhand Government is set to present the draft of the Uttarakhand State Religious Freedom Bill in the assembly today. This bill, if passed, will establish a unified legal framework without religious bias, making Uttarakhand the first state in India to implement such a law. However, the Muslim community has expressed opposition to the draft, claiming it goes against their religious beliefs. The bill, known as the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, focuses on women’s rights and includes provisions like a ban on polygamy and raising the minimum age for marriage. With the BJP expected to pass the bill due to their majority in the assembly, it is essential to understand the key aspects and implications of this significant legislation.
In a groundbreaking move, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand is set to present the draft of the Uttarakhand State Religious Freedom Bill in the state assembly. If passed, Uttarakhand will become the first state in India to implement such a law.
The aim of the Uttarakhand State Religious Freedom (USRF) Bill is to establish a unified legal framework without any religious bias. It seeks to ensure that all communities within the state are treated equally under the law, regardless of their religious affiliation.
However, the opposition has devised a strategy to oppose the USRF in the assembly. They have expressed concerns about the draft, claiming that it goes against the religious beliefs of the Muslim community. It is worth noting that the draft does not include any grievances or suggestions from the Muslim community, which has further fueled their opposition.
A five-member committee had earlier submitted the draft of the USRF to the Chief Minister. The USRF was a significant promise made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the 2022 assembly elections. Now, it remains to be seen if the bill will garner support from other political parties in the assembly.
In another major development, the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha has introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill. If passed, Uttarakhand will be the first state in India to implement a Uniform Civil Code. The BJP, with its majority in the assembly, is expected to pass the bill.
The UCC bill primarily focuses on women’s rights and includes provisions such as a ban on polygamy and raising the minimum age for marriage. The draft committee report for the UCC bill is a whopping 780 pages long and has received inputs from over 2.33 lakh people. It reflects the extensive consultation process undertaken to ensure a comprehensive legislation.
The bill also proposes equal inheritance rights for daughters and includes provisions for the registration of live-in relationships. These provisions aim to promote gender equality and provide legal protection to individuals in non-marital relationships.
Both the Uttarakhand State Religious Freedom Bill and the Uniform Civil Code Bill have the potential to bring significant changes to the legal landscape of the state. As these bills make their way through the assembly, it is important to keep an eye on the discussions and debates surrounding them.
