Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday said if the BJP comes back to power it will implement Uniform Civil Code in the state. Making the announcement ahead of the February 14 elections, he said a committee would be formed when he returns to power after the March 10 results. “New BJP government immediately after oath taking will form a committee with legal luminaries, retired officials, intellectuals and other stake holders which will prepare a draft for Uniform Civil Code in the state,” Dhami announced on Twitter. The UCC will ensure equal laws regarding marriages, divorce, land-property and inheritance for all people, irrespective of their faith, he added. “It will be an important step in the direction of fulfilling the dreams of the architects of our Constitution,” he said. The chief minister claimed the legislation will boost gender justice, strengthen women empowerment, enhance social harmony and help protect the “extraordinary cultural-spiritual identity and environment of the state”. The announcement is a resolution of his party and will be fulfilled as soon as the new BJP government takes charge, he told the media in Khatima also. Keeping the culture and heritage of ‘Devbhoomi’ intact is his party’s prime concern, Dhami added. The Uniform Civil Code is a recurring part of BJP’s successive poll manifestos, since 2016. In June 2016, the Ministry of law and Justice asked the 21st law panel to examine matters with regards to uniform civil code. However, the term of the Law Commission ended on August 31, 2018. Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has said: “The matter may be taken up by the 22nd Law Commission of India.” As per the Article 44 of the Constitution, the State shall endeavour to secure a uniform civil code for the citizens throughout the territory of India, Rijiju then added. UNI AO ING
