'UCC adopted by Uttarakhand will become equality template for everyone'

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday expressed optimism that the Uniform Civil Code UCC adopted by his state would pave the way for greater equality in personal laws for everyone in the country besides promoting unity among local communities and upholding gender equality reported news agency PTIUttarakhand is the first state in the country after Independence to adopt the UCC Addressing a gathering in Mumbai where he was felicitated Pushkar Singh Dhami claimed Uttarakhand was witnessing land Jihad which was stopped by his government and about 5000 acres of encroached land was retrieved reported PTIDhami said that the UCC legislation aims to bridge societal divides rather than target any specific group He highlighted its potential to end discriminatory practices against women and ensure equal rights for all citizensThe Uttarakhand Chief Minister attributed the initiative to the vision of late leader Shyama Prasad Mukherjee underscoring the UCCs significance in addressing both legal and moral imperatives reported PTIThe UCC bill passed in the Uttarakhand assembly was not introduced to show bias towards anyone Our aim is not to target anyone Our effort is to ensure progress for all as we strive for everyones trust and development Dhami said reported PTIThe Uttarakhand Chief Minister said that the UCC akin to the Ganges River nurturing life will benefit the entire nation once implemented in Uttarakhand He further said that its transformative impact on the judicial system He assured that rigorous provisions were being devised for effective enforcement reported PTIOur primary focus in introducing the law was considering that 50 per cent of the population in the state is represented by women Shyama Prasad Mukherjee always stressed that the UCC is not just a legal requirement but also addresses social and moral needs He used to say that unless the UCC is applied to everyone it will reduce divisions and inequalities Dhami added reported PTIPushkar Singh Dhami expressed optimism that the UCC will put an end to several religious practices that discriminate against women ensuring equal rights for them and it will also help bridge the gaps between various communitiesDhami said the UCC would improve the judicial system and stated several provisions were being formed to ensure effective implementation in UttarakhandThe UCC proposal had been discussed with the people and if reelected the first decision would be to form a committee for its implementation We took the suggestions from people and held discussions with various stakeholders not only to improve the UCC but also to increase transparency and trust among the people he said reported PTIThe Uttarakhand Assembly passed the UCC bill on February 7 It received President Droupadi Murmus assent on March 11 making Uttarakhand the first state in the country to implement the UCC Dhami addedHe said that the importance of a uniform law and Constitution for every person in the country regardless of caste faith or sectDr B R Ambedkar has already made several provisions in the Constitution he pointed out reported PTIThe UCC will pave the way for greater equality in personal laws for everyone in the country Dhami added reported PTIHe also noted the state governments efforts to address issues such as land encroachment and the implementation of laws to prevent riots and religious conversionsUttarakhand was witnessing land Jihad where nearly 5000 acres of land was currently taken back that was encroached upon earlier There used to be a blue yellow or green shawl to make fake claims and grab a piece of land We stopped the land jihad in our state he claimed reported PTIWe have also enacted legislation to stop riots and religious conversions We have made effective decisions Dhami addedWith inputs from PTI