NEW DELHI: Uttarakhand may soon become the first state in India to implement a Uniform Civil Code (
UCC
), defence minister
Rajnath Singh
said on Sunday.
The BJP had promised to introduce UCC for Uttarakhand during the state assembly elections in 2022.
Speaking at the "Uttarayani Kauthik" event, organized by individuals from Uttarakhand, Rajnath asserted Uttarakhand would lead the way in implementing the code.
The UCC refers to a common set of laws on marriage, divorce and inheritance that would be applicable to all Indian citizens irrespective of religion, tribe or other local customs.
Following his re-election as chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami approved the formation of a committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai.
The committee will be responsible for drafting the UCC, as decided during the first cabinet meeting under Dhami's leadership.
During an event in Lucknow, Rajnath praised Uttarakhand as a land of gods, brave individuals, and development.
He highlighted the state's remarkable progress over the past five years.
Singh also touched upon the relationship between Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, noting that despite initial challenges following Uttarakhand's separation from Uttar Pradesh, there was no animosity between the two states.
He contrasted this with the unresolved issues that persist even ten years after the division of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
(With inputs from PTI)
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