Friday, 09 February 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Many residents of Dehradun opined that registering live-in relationships could potentially reduce instances of love jihad which have become a cause for concern in the State in recent years. They pointed this out after the draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill, tabled in the Vidhan Sabha by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was passed by the Assembly on Wednesday. Among other aspects, the UCC aims to regulate and govern live-in relationships in the State. However, some individuals have expressed concerns about the maintenance regulations associated with live-in relationships. According to the bill, women partners will have the right to claim maintenance from their male partners if they are abandoned.
Dwelling on this, Sarita Jena said that that live-in relationships have become quite common but they have also been associated with negative activities like love Jihad. She stated that the registration of live-in relationships in the State is necessary. This will help reduce love Jihad cases and could also serve as a deterrent for young women who may be exploiting their rights through false accusations, she said.
College student Shikha Negi expressed partial satisfaction with the new regulations proposed regarding live-in relationships. While she agrees that registration is necessary, she believes that the guidelines related to maintenance show partiality. The Uniform Civil Code emphasised equal rights, so the regulation concerning live-in relationships, which allows women partners to claim maintenance if deserted by their male partners, is unfair and should be addressed before approval, she added.
Another local Sushil Tandon highlighted that with the registration of live-in relationships, the cases of love Jihad would decrease. Everything should be done in a legal manner in society. He expressed gratitude to the State government for proposing such regulations under the UCC bill.
