Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami addressed the first “Uniform Civil Code Day” organized on Tuesday at the Himalayan Cultural Center, Garhi Cantt. On this occasion, he honored the members of the committee that drafted the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the administrative officers who ensured its efficient implementation, and the VLCs who contributed significantly to the registration process. During the program, the Chief Minister also visited a photo exhibition based on the UCC.
While addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami said that today would be recorded as a golden chapter in the history of Uttarakhand, as the Uniform Civil Code has been implemented in the state on this very day, ensuring the establishment of social justice, equality, and constitutional values in society. He stated that Sanatan culture and tradition have always promoted harmony and equality. Lord Shri Krishna, in the Gita, preached “Samo’ham sarva-bhuteshu na me dveshyo’sti na priyah,” meaning, “I am equal to all living beings; I harbor neither hatred nor favoritism.” This is the greatness of Sanatan culture, which for centuries has shown the world the path of equality, justice, and humanity.
Fulfilled the resolve of the Constitution’s framers
The Chief Minister said that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and all the framers of the Constitution included the “Uniform Civil Code” under Article 44 in the Directive Principles of State Policy. They believed that there should be one common law for all citizens of the country. Guided by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he included the commitment to implement the UCC in Uttarakhand in his election manifesto before the 2022 Assembly elections. The people of Devbhoomi wholeheartedly supported and blessed the BJP for this “divine task.” After assuming office again, he began work on implementing the UCC from the very first day. In this sequence, the Uniform Civil Code Bill was passed in the State Assembly on February 7, 2024, and sent to the Hon’ble President, who granted her assent on March 11, 2024. After completing all necessary rules and procedures, the state government formally implemented the UCC in Uttarakhand on January 27, 2025.
Beginning of a new era of women empowerment
The Chief Minister stated that due to different personal laws for certain communities, discrimination, inequality, and injustice had prevailed in society. With the implementation of the UCC, not only have equal rights been ensured for all citizens, but a new era of women empowerment has also begun in the state. Muslim women in Uttarakhand have now been freed from practices such as halala, iddat, polygamy, child marriage, and triple talaq. Since the implementation of the UCC, not a single case of halala or polygamy has been reported in Uttarakhand, which is why Muslim women have welcomed this law. He said that for decades after independence, due to vote-bank politics, the courage to implement the UCC was not shown, even though all developed and civilized countries, including major Muslim nations, already have a uniform civil code in place.
Effort to create harmony through equality
The Chief Minister clarified that the Uniform Civil Code is not against any religion or sect, but is a legal effort to eliminate social evils and establish “harmony through equality” among all citizens. Under this law, the core beliefs and practices of any religion have not been altered; only social evils have been removed. The UCC brings uniform rules for all religions regarding marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Clear laws have also been made regarding property division and child rights. No discrimination has been made among children in property rights, and to prevent disputes after a person’s death, equal rights over the deceased’s property have been given to the spouse, children, and parents.
Considering present-day circumstances and to ensure the safety of young men and women, registration of live-in relationships has been made mandatory under this law. The registrar will inform the parents or guardians of the registered couple, while maintaining complete confidentiality. Children born during a live-in relationship will be considered legitimate children of the couple and will be granted all rights equal to biological children.
Not just an announcement, but successful implementation
The Chief Minister said it is a matter of great personal pride for him that the Uniform Civil Code has been taken from announcement to effective ground-level implementation. Over the past year, the state government has made access to government services simpler, more accessible, and more transparent through the UCC. Before its implementation, the state used to register an average of only 67 marriages per day; today, that number has increased to more than 1,400 registrations daily. More than 30 percent of gram panchayats in the state have successfully completed 100 percent registration of married couples. In the past year, over 5 lakh applications were received under the UCC, of which more than 95 percent have already been resolved. Through an online portal system and over 7,500 active Common Service Centers, governance has truly been brought to the doorstep of the people.
Strict provisions against marriage fraud
The Chief Minister stated that the state government recently passed a bill related to necessary amendments in the UCC, which received the Governor’s assent just a day earlier. Under these provisions, marriages can be annulled if identity is concealed or false information is provided at the time of marriage. Additionally, strict punitive provisions have been ensured for any force, coercion, fraud, or unlawful acts in marriage and live-in relationships.
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Strong decisions unite the nation
The Chief Minister said that Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, since the formation of the Jana Sangh, had resolved to abrogate Article 370 from Kashmir and implement the Uniform Civil Code, and today these resolutions have been fulfilled. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it has been proven that strong decisions do not divide the nation but unite it. He said that some people are deliberately spreading misconceptions about the Uniform Civil Code, sometimes regarding domicile status and sometimes about live-in registrations, driven by political motives. He emphasized that no one can become a “domicile” of the state through this law. Similarly, the provision of live-in registration has been made to protect the safety, dignity, and rights of daughters and sisters.
He stated that just as the River Ganga flows from Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and nourishes the entire nation, the stream of the Uniform Civil Code flowing from Uttarakhand will inspire other states to move forward in this direction.
Strict action against polygamy
The Chief Minister said that some cases related to polygamy and divorce have come to light, and separate provisions will be made to ensure the strictest possible action in such cases. He added that a US-based NGO has recently accused him of hate speech, but if speaking against religious conversion and encroachment on government land is considered hate speech, then he considers it acceptable.
On this occasion, Cabinet Ministers Shri Ganesh Joshi and Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, MP Shri Naresh Bansal, MLAs Shri Khajan Das, Smt. Savita Kapoor, Shri Suresh Gadiya, Shri Brij Bhushan Gairola, Home Secretary Shri Shailesh Bagauli, DGP Shri Deepam Seth, UCC Committee member and former Chief Secretary Shatrughan Singh, Doon University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Surekha Dangwal, Manu Gaur, Ajay Mishra, Special Secretary Home Smt Nivedita Kukreti, and other dignitaries were present.
