Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday termed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as “non-discriminatory” and lauded the Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Uttarakhand government for implementing the law, becoming the first-ever Indian state to do so.
PM Modi noted that the UCC, which has sparked political debates and drawn national attention, will strengthen the spirit of democracy and described it as a “Secular Civil Code.”
“Today the world is saying that the 21st century is India’s century. After offering prayers to Baba Kedar, it came out from my mouth that this is the decade of Uttarakhand. I am very happy that Uttarakhand is developing rapidly,” said PM Modi after inaugurating the 38th National Games in Dehradun.
“It will strengthen the spirit of democracy and the Constitution,” said the Prime Minister, adding, “UCC has the same team spirit as sports, discrimination against none.”
UCC Now A Reality
Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to implement the common law on January 27. CM Dhami launched the UCC portal, rules, and Gazette Notification in Dehradun, stating the law would promote uniformity and ensure equal rights and responsibilities for all citizens.
“Today, by implementing UCC in Uttarakhand, we are paying our true tribute to the makers of the Constitution, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and all the respected members of the Constituent Assembly,” Dhami said on the occasion.
The UCC refers to one law that would apply to all religious communities in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, maintenance etc. India has a uniform or one set of ‘criminal codes’ for all its citizens but doesn’t have uniform civil law.
Its introduction to replace laws on marriage and other societal elements has been a longstanding promise of the PM Modi-led NDA government at the Centre. However, the opposition argues that UCC challenges Islamic laws on divorce, marriage and inheritance.
