Monday, 09 May 2022 | PNS | Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami acted upon his pre-poll promise with the proposal for formation of a high level committee to prepare a draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) being approved in the first cabinet meeting of this government. The committee consisting of legal experts, members of intelligentsia and others will prepare the draft of the UCC to be implemented in the State. Legal experts opine that UCC will prove beneficial for the citizens as it will facilitate equality along with improvements in the functioning of the judiciary and the administration. Though the general public may not be fully aware of what the UCC may offer, citizens in general favour the proposal.
Local businessman Rakesh Rawat said, “Better late than never.UCC is the need of the hour. CM Dhami will be remembered for this historic decision. Politicians need to have a strong will to introduce these kinds of decisions,” he opined.
Another citizen, Mohammed Arif said, “If the state forms an expert committee to prepare the UCC draft for Uttarakhand, the committee members should have a board-mined view towards the welfare of all the people, regardless of the majority view.”
Talking to The Pioneer, noted advocate Atul Pundir said, “In my personal view the UCC should be implemented not only in Uttarakhand but pan-India. It’s a concept which is not against any specific person or community. Any law which governs a nation, on the basis of which administration is done, should be uniform.”
He elaborated, “There are multiple religions followed in India with multiplicity within the religions too. Within the bigger following of religion there are sub-followings which have their own laws too. For example, the Hindus in Jaunsar follow their own traditions which have marriage laws different from other Hindus. Polygamy or bigamy is an offence for Hindus but permissible in Muslims. Such a situation results in complications. For example, a Hindu who wants to marry cannot do so while the first marriage exists so he converts and has a second marriage. Whether that marriage is permissible in law is a question which has to be adjudicated by the court but nevertheless a complication will arise. There are separate divorce laws for Hindus, Muslims and Christians.”
He further stressed that the UCC is not against any particular religion or sect because there is nothing wrong if there is a uniformity in the way justice is to be delivered. “Most importantly, UCC is also a guarantee provided under Article 44 of our Constitution so there is no question of illegality. Its implementation will bring uniformity and reduce pendency and complications in litigation. It will be good for the judicial system as reduction in complication will make adjudication simpler, better and faster. This is a good proposal of the State government and in the best interest of everybody,” added Pundir.
