Indian Himalayan state passes common 'civil code' law

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) - The Indian Himalayan state of Uttarakhand that is ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party, passed a bill Wednesday regarding a Uniform Civil Code -- a common set of personal laws for all, irrespective of religious beliefs.

Uttarakhand can become the first state in the country post impendence that would implement common rules irrespective of religious identity.

“Historic uniform civil code bill-2024 passed in the Assembly,” said Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state’s top elected official, and part of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.

He said the code “will show the path of the entire country” and “this bill also reflects our government's commitment towards respecting and protecting mother power.”

Hindus, Muslims, Christians and other tribal groups have their laws for marriage, inheritance and other matters.

The common code has been part of Modi’s election manifesto since 2019.

Among provisions in the bill is a ban on polygamy, fixing the age of men and women, issues concerning divorce, inheritance and regulating "live-in" relationships.

The bill was tabled Tuesday in the assembly but Muslim groups opposed the move.

“The question is not about the personal law of Muslims, but about keeping the country's secular constitution in its position, because India is a secular country and the meaning of secularism in the constitution is that the country has no religion of its own. So uniform civil code is not acceptable for Muslims,” said Maulana Arshad Madani, president of India's largest socio-religious Muslim organization, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind.