Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi described the day as historic for Gujarat as the State Assembly geared up to discuss the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill. Scheduled for introduction around 2 P.M, the legislation aims to ensure equal rights for women in the state.
Sanghavi emphasized that the UCC Bill, to be presented by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is crucial for granting equal legal rights to all women in Gujarat. He highlighted the existing disparities in personal laws based on religion, community, and caste, leading to inequalities for women even after India’s independence.
The proposed UCC seeks to establish a uniform legal framework for marriage, inheritance, and related matters, applicable to all residents of Gujarat. Sanghavi expressed optimism that the Bill would be approved after thorough deliberation in the Assembly, clarifying that it is not targeted at any specific religion but aims to ensure equal rights for all citizens under the law.
The Gujarat UCC Bill, incorporating recommendations from a committee led by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai, introduces a common civil framework to replace religion-specific personal laws. It addresses various aspects such as marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships, with provisions for mandatory marriage registration and penalties for non-compliance.
