The Uttarakhand Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill on Wednesday, potentially paving the way for other BJP-governed states to implement similar legislation.

Introduced a day earlier in the BJP-majority assembly, the bill, passed by a voice vote, faced opposition calls for referral to a select committee, which were ultimately rejected.

Upon receiving the governor's consent, Uttarakhand is poised to become the first state post-independence to enact UCC.

UCC means, a common law addressing marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance, applicable to all citizens regardless of their religious affiliation.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami emphasised the significance of the bill, stating that it goes beyond ordinary legislation.

The UCC aims to establish uniform laws for both men and women across all faiths.

Dhami highlighted its role in protecting women's rights and preventing exploitation, fulfilling a commitment made to the state's residents during the 2022 assembly polls.

Dhami further characterised the UCC as a small yet impactful contribution from Uttarakhand towards the development of India under the leadership of PM Modi.

Additionally, the UCC Code bill in Uttarakhand mandates the registration of live-in relationships, requiring partners to register with district officials. Failure to comply may result in imprisonment.

The bill also stipulates that like marriages, live-in relationships must be registered, with partners not below the age of 18.