Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Bill Submitted; establishes rules for marriage, inheritance, maintenance and cohabitation

In the event of a divorce, both men and women are entitled to alimony and maintenance. A woman can also get a divorce if the man already has a spouse or if the woman is pregnant with another man's child.

The introduction of the bill is a first such step in a state, which could be followed by similar laws in other BJP-led states. The state's tribal community is excluded from the purview of the proposed law, which also mandates registration of civil unions.

In inheritance law, the bill states that there is no difference in the rights of an unborn child and a living child. The bill also stipulates that a widow or widower will lose the right to inherit the property of her former spouse if she marries again.

The Uttarakhand bill, coming just before the Lok Sabha elections, marks a key item on the BJP's agenda – a common law on marriage, divorce, land, property and inheritance for all citizens, irrespective of their religion. It is likely to be studied and implemented by BJP governments in states like Gujarat and Assam. Only Goa has a common civil law, which has been in force since Portuguese rule.

Yashpal Arya, Leader of Opposition in the Uttarakhand Assembly, said members should be given enough time to study the bill and demanded that it be referred to a special committee of the House. “We are not against the bill. The House is governed by the rules of business but the BJP constantly ignores the same and wants to suppress the voice of MPs due to their numerical strength,” Arya said.