MP: Jagdishpur Cabinet meeting likely to approve UCC draft
Bhopal, July 18
Even live‑in relationships will need to be registered in Madhya Pradesh once the codified law known as the Uniform Civil Code comes into force.
The process of introducing the UCC in the state has reached a crucial stage, with the government expected to approve the final draft during a special cabinet meeting on Sunday in the historic town of Jagdishpur (erstwhile Islamnagar) near Bhopal. This will pave the way for the introduction of the UCC bill in the upcoming monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly.
A high‑level committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai has submitted its final report, prepared in three comprehensive volumes, to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
The report proposes sweeping reforms to bring uniformity to personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and other family matters for all citizens, irrespective of religion.
Key proposals in the draft include mandatory registration of marriages for people of all faiths within 1 to 2 months, recognition of divorce only after completion of the legal process, and invalidation of oral divorces.
The draft also recommends treating remarriage while a spouse is alive and without legal divorce as a criminal offence.
For live‑in relationships, the committee suggests mandatory registration before a registrar, with cohabitation without registration made punishable. Children born out of such relationships would be granted statutory rights to ancestral property.
The committee has recommended keeping the Scheduled Tribe community outside the ambit of the UCC, following the approach adopted in states like Gujarat and Uttarakhand.
The report is divided into three sections: recommendations based on Indian and international laws; the actual draft bill, containing 404 sections and seven schedules; and a detailed analysis of over 9.58 lakh public suggestions received through various channels.
Once the cabinet gives its nod, the Law Department will prepare the final bill for tabling in the Assembly, scheduled for July 20. After passage and the Governor's assent, the UCC will be notified to come into effect in the state.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has emphasised that the UCC aims to ensure equal legal rights for all citizens, particularly strengthening women's rights and promoting uniformity in family laws. He has repeatedly asked the Congress party to clarify its position on the issue.
Meanwhile, State Congress President Jitu Patwari has criticised the move, alleging that the BJP government is using the UCC to divert attention from pressing issues like inflation, unemployment, farmers' problems and women's safety.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm a Muslim woman and I support this. My mother had to fight for years after my father divorced her by just saying 'talaq' three times. But I wish they had consulted more religious leaders to avoid unnecessary political tension. Let's hope this brings real justice, not just headlines.
Interesting move. I like the idea of mandatory registration for marriages and live-in relationships - it will help in legal disputes and custody battles. But 404 sections? That's a lot of bureaucracy. Hope it doesn't become another harassment tool for common people.
As a foreigner living in India, I find this very progressive. Many countries already have similar laws. But I notice they excluded Scheduled Tribes - isn't that counter to the 'uniform' idea? Seems political. Still, baby steps I suppose.
Ek taraf inflation, unemployment badh raha hai, aur yeh log UCC ka natak kar rahe hain. Congress sahi keh rahi hai - yeh sirf distraction hai. Aur live-in relationships ko criminalize karna? Aaj kal toh log marriage bhi nahi karte. Kya bakwas hai yeh.
I married a Hindu woman in India and we had so much trouble registering our marriage due to different state laws. This kind of uniformity will make life easier for interfaith couples. But 404 sections? That's more than the Indian Penal Code! 😅
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.