Bhatt defends live-in relationship provision under UCC, slams opposition over false narratives

PIONEER INTERVIEW

PURNIMA BISHT | Dehradun

The State government claims to be taking the State ahead while the opposition is claiming otherwise. At a time when the ruling party is trying to tackle allegations from within too, the Bharatiya Janata Party State resident and Rajya Sabha member Mahendra Bhatt shared his insights on key political issues, including the controversy surrounding live-in relationship registration under UCC, the alleged Desi-Pahadi divide ahead of the 2027 Vidhan Sabha elections and the government’s crackdown on illegal Madarsas.

BJP is often accused of engaging in Hindu-Muslim politics for electoral gains. Recently, the party has also alleged that Congress is fuelling the Desi-Pahadi divide in Uttarakhand for political gains. How do you see this l situation?

 I do not believe BJP indulges in Hindu-Muslim politics, especially in Uttarakhand, because the people here do not tolerate such divisive tactics. Even if something unintentionally hurts public sentiments, we take full accountability and address the issue responsibly. A clear example of this is our MLA, who was linked to the Desi-Pahadi debate, he chose to resign, showing our commitment to maintaining harmony. On the other hand, Congress always fails to take accountability for its own MLAs and leaders on several matters. They have also continuously escalated this Desi-Pahadi issue for political mileage. Their aim is to create unnecessary divisions among the people of Uttarakhand, hoping to reap electoral benefits. However, the people of our State are well aware of such tactics and will not fall for them.

The provision for live-in relationships under the UCC in Uttarakhand has been a subject of controversy since its implementation. The opposition claims that live-in relationships go against our traditions and accuses BJP of promoting them. What is your take on this issue?

First and foremost, it is important to understand that the Supreme Court recognises live-in relationships as a legitimate form of partnership. The inclusion of live-in relationships under the UCC does not mean that BJP is promoting or encouraging them. The provision was introduced primarily to address rising cases of exploitation and to safeguard the legal rights of both partners, as well as children born from such relationships. Simply having a legal provision does not mean that everyone will enter a live-in relationship. Uttarakhand is home to people from diverse backgrounds and as a responsible government, we must consider the rights and safety of all individuals, regardless of their personal choices. The opposition is misleading people by portraying this as BJP’s endorsement of live-in relationships, without fully understanding the intent behind the provision.

Recently, former chief minister and Haridwar MP Trivendra Singh Rawat raised concerns in Parliament about illegal mining being carried out at night in Uttarakhand. However, the BJP claims that the State has recorded unprecedented revenue from the mining sector this year, which is only possible due to legitimate and transparent operations. Has the party spoken to Rawat regarding his statement?

 I do not believe there is a need for the party to discuss this matter with Rawat. As an MP, it is his duty to raise concerns in Parliament if he believes an issue requires attention. His statement is being unnecessarily politicised by Congress. Rawat is a respected senior BJP leader and an MP, and if he has any serious concerns, I am sure he will directly address them with chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

Many have accused the government of deliberately shutting down alleged illegal madarsas during the month of Ramzan to hurt Muslim sentiments. What is your response to these allegations?

The fact remains that several madarsas and mazars have been operating illegally in Uttarakhand for years. The government’s actions are not targeted at any particular community, nor are they based on the timing of a specific religious month. This is an ongoing process to ensure compliance with the law. Some madarsa representatives have claimed that they had applied for permissions but were denied. However, does this give them the right to operate illegally? Many individuals fail to get permission to open private schools, should they also start running them without authorisation? We are not against religious education in madarsas but we are firmly against unauthorised institutions that allegedly engage in illegal activities. Another important question is—who is funding these illegally operating madarsas? Since they are neither government-funded nor officially recognised, their financial backing must be investigated. Our government is committed to shutting down illegal establishments that not only violate the law but also risk jeopardising the future of children. In fact, many Muslim women have expressed gratitude for this action, as they now feel confident about sending their children to recognised schools for better education.

The Uttarakhand government recently completed three years in office. What do you consider its most significant achievement so far?

The government has made remarkable progress in the tourism sector over the past three years. From promoting winter tourism and destination weddings to enhancing religious tourism and improving the Char Dham pilgrimage experience, significant strides have been made. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played a key role in this achievement. Since 2014, he has visited Uttarakhand 13 times, the highest by any PM, demonstrating his commitment to the State’s development. Also, major efforts have been undertaken to strengthen railway, road and ropeway connectivity, further boosting Uttarakhand’s tourism industry. These infrastructure developments are not only improving travel convenience but also contributing to the State’s economic growth.

What are the key priorities for the government in the remaining two years of its term?

Almost all the promises made in our last Vidhan Sabha election manifesto have been fulfilled. However, in the coming two years, the government will focus on strengthening the healthcare system, improving road infrastructure and promoting diverse forms of farming, including organic and medicinal agriculture. The formation of a Youth Commission is also under consideration. We will soon hold a review meeting to assess the progress of our manifesto commitments and to decide the next steps for further development.

When can we expect the appointment of the new BJP State President for Uttarakhand?

There are still 17 states where the BJP organisational election process is yet to be completed. This process is expected to conclude soon and the new State President for Uttarakhand will likely be announced after April 4.