Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday spoke about the state’s efforts to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), emphasising that it will help prevent violence in live-in relationships.
The UCC includes provisions to regulate and register live-in relationships to ensure safety and accountability. According to the new law, couples in live-in relationships must inform the administration and their parents.
“Our goal is not to violate anyone’s privacy. We want to stop the violence that occurs in live-in relationships,” the Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Office posted on X. On February 20, CM Dhami defended the registration rule, saying it was introduced to prevent incidents like the tragic Shraddha Walkar murder case.
Live-in relationship registration to prevent crimes
Speaking to reporters, CM Dhami explained, “We have made it mandatory to register live-in relationships in the UCC to prevent crimes like the one committed by Aaftab. What is wrong with this? When we were drafting the UCC, we invited opposition parties, including Congress, to share their views.”
The reference was to Shraddha Walkar, who was allegedly murdered by her live-in partner, Aftab Amin Poonawala, on May 18, 2022. Aaftab reportedly dismembered her body and disposed of it in a forest to destroy evidence.
CM Dhami stated that while drafting the UCC, the committee had invited all stakeholders, including the Congress party, to provide their input. He further criticised Congress, saying, “The Uniform Civil Code has been implemented as per the Indian Constitution, but Congress opposes women’s empowerment and does not care about their safety.”
Also Read: UCC implemented in Uttarakhand, simplifies marriage laws
Uttarakhand becomes first state to implement UCC
Uttarakhand made history as the first state in India to implement the UCC. CM Dhami officially launched the UCC portal and rules on January 27, 2025, marking a significant step toward legal equality and social justice.
The UCC establishes a uniform set of personal laws for all citizens, regardless of religion, gender, or caste. It covers aspects such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, and succession. However, the law does not apply to Scheduled Tribes and certain protected communities under Articles 342 and 366(25) of the Indian Constitution.
Also Read: U'khand UCC: Is it about uniformity or targeting Muslims?
Marriage Rules Under the UCC
The Uttarakhand UCC Act, 2024, aims to streamline legal processes related to marriage while promoting social harmony. Under the new law, a valid marriage must meet the following conditions:
- Neither partner should have a living spouse.
- Both individuals must be mentally capable of giving consent.
- The man must be at least 21 years old, and the woman at least 18 years old.
- The couple should not be within the prohibited degrees of relationship.
With the implementation of the UCC, Uttarakhand has taken a major step toward ensuring equal rights and legal clarity in personal matters, setting a precedent for other states to follow.
Also Read: Congress spreading myths on UCC, ignores constitution: Dhami
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