Madhya Pradesh is set to mandate the registration of live-in relationships once the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is implemented. The state government is at a crucial stage in the process, with a special cabinet meeting scheduled to finalize the UCC draft in Jagdishpur. The proposed UCC aims to standardize personal laws related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and family matters for all citizens, regardless of religion.
A committee led by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai has presented a detailed report to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The recommendations include compulsory marriage registration for all faiths within 1 to 2 months, recognition of divorce only after legal procedures, and the rejection of verbal divorces. The draft also suggests criminalizing remarriage without legal divorce and mandates registration of live-in relationships to grant children rights to ancestral property.
The UCC draft, comprising 404 sections and seven schedules, is based on Indian and international laws. It incorporates over 9.58 lakh public suggestions and exempts the Scheduled Tribe community, aligning with practices in Gujarat and Uttarakhand. Once approved by the cabinet, the Law Department will finalize the bill for presentation in the Assembly on July 20. The UCC’s implementation in Madhya Pradesh aims to ensure equal legal rights, especially for women, and promote consistency in family laws.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav underscores the UCC’s goal of upholding equal legal rights and gender equality. He has urged the Congress party to clarify its stance on the UCC. In contrast, State Congress President Jitu Patwari has criticized the move, accusing the BJP government of using the UCC to divert attention from critical issues like inflation, unemployment, farmers’ concerns, and women’s safety.
