Uttarakhand recently became the second state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami leading the charge. Backed by BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the move aims to standardize personal laws on marriage, divorce, and inheritance across all religions. With plans to roll it out in other BJP-ruled states, supporters hail it as a step toward equality, while critics argue it disregards religious freedoms and India’s cultural diversity.

Key UCC Provisions:

Uniform Marriage Age: 21 for men and 18 for women across all religions.

No Second Marriages: Bigamy is prohibited unless the first marriage is legally dissolved.

Equal Property Rights: Daughters inherit equally across all religions.

Mandatory Live-in Registration: Couples must register live-in relationships within one month.

Parental notification is compulsory for those below 21. Failure to register attracts a three-month jail term and a ₹10,000 fine.

If the individuals above the age of 21 don't register within a month it's a fine of rupees 25000

Divided Public Reaction

The clauses of the Live in relationship have evoked much thoughts and tweets from the public While some see the move as progressive, others view it as an infringement on personal choices.

The live-in registration rule, in particular, has triggered widespread agitation. One social media user remarked, “We might soon have to register our girlfriends with Aadhaar!” Another questioned the government's role, stating, “I understand the rationale for registering live-ins but criminalizing non-compliance is absurd.”

Conversely, some welcomed the parental notification requirement. “Do you want your underage daughter to be found in a suitcase or fridge?” one netizen wrote. However, the UCC isn't all that bad— it might be a modern solution for evolving relationship dynamics in India. By holding couples accountable, particularly young men, by ensuring inheritance rights for children born from live-in relationships and financial provisions for deserted partners.

Even registering one's relationship isn't tough as one can do it on the mobile app and won't have to circle around government offices.