Veteran actor and Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha has voiced his support for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand while highlighting significant challenges in enforcing such a law across the nation. During a recent press conference, he stated, “While I believe non-vegetarian food, including beef, should be banned across India, the reality is that such regulations can be difficult to impose uniformly.”
Sinha remarked, “Beef consumption remains legal in certain regions, such as the northeast—where it is widely accepted. However, the imposition of a ban must be comprehensive and not selective.” He stated that the successful rollout of the civil code in Uttarakhand is a noteworthy achievement, yet expressed concerns about existing loopholes within the UCC, which aims to standardize laws concerning marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption across different religious communities.
He emphasized the importance of an all-party consultation before drafting the UCC provisions, asserting that the legislation should not be perceived merely as an electoral tactic. “It is crucial to approach the UCC with diligence and sensitivity,” he added.
On January 27, Uttarakhand made history as the first state in independent India to implement the Uniform Civil Code. The new civil code establishes mandatory registration for all marriages and live-in relationships and stipulates equal property rights for sons and daughters. Additionally, it provides equal grounds for divorce and recognizes the legitimacy of children born from live-in partnerships.
The BJP government, led by Pushkar Dhami, has also launched an online portal to facilitate the registration process for marriage, divorce, and inheritance, further streamlining these essential legal requirements.
