NEW DELHI: Reacting to the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand starting today, Congress MP Kumari Selja criticised the BJP and the BJP-led state government, accusing them of dividing people and including UCC as part of this agenda.
"People's rights should not be snatched away. Everyone is equal, but our constitution also talks about protecting the rights of everyone. This government tries to divide people, and this is also a part of that," Selja told ANI.
Interestingly, Congress' ally in the INDIA bloc, Shiv Sena (UBT), expressed support for the UCC in Uttarakhand.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey stated, "Uniform Civil Code is a good thing. It provides uniform rights to all citizens. This does not create any discrimination among religions... The law in the country should run in accordance with the Constitution drafted by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. So, we feel that people should take more interest in UCC. We will have to understand that UCC is not against anyone. We don't think that there should be any controversy over UCC. It should not be linked to caste or religion. We welcome it."
Notably, Uttarakhand has become the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code as of January 27, 2025.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasised that the implementation of UCC would ensure uniformity in personal civil laws that currently discriminate based on caste, religion, or gender.
He further assured that all preparations, including approval of the Act’s rules and training of officials, have been completed.
Taking to X, CM Dhami wrote, "Dear residents of the state, The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in the state from January 27, 2025, making Uttarakhand the first state in independent India where this law will come into effect. All the necessary preparations have been completed to implement UCC, which includes approval of the rules of the Act and training of the concerned officials. UCC will bring uniformity in the society and ensure equal rights and responsibilities for all citizens. Uniform Civil Code is just an offering made by our state in the great yagya being done by the Prime Minister to make the country a developed, organized, harmonious and self-reliant nation. Under the Uniform Civil Code, an attempt has been made to bring uniformity in all laws relating to personal civil matters that discriminate on the basis of caste, religion, sex etc."
The Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Act, 2024, which comes into effect today, establishes a standardized framework for creating and canceling wills and codicils under testamentary succession.
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