Himachal Pradesh is ‘examining bringing uniform civil code’:CM Jai Ram Thakur

The Himachal Pradesh Government is now examining the possibility of introducing a Uniform Civil Code/UCC in the state, said Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.

Jai Ram’s comments come at a time when two other BJP-ruled states, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh(UP), are also considering bringing in the UCC. 

“ I think the UCC is a good decision; We are now examining how to implement it in the context of Himachal Pradesh. A decision will be taken in the future,” the Himachal Pradesh CM said during an interview with when asked about Uttarakhand’s efforts in preparing a draft code. 

In Uttarakhand, during the first Cabinet meeting held after the Bharathiya Janata Party retained power in the polls, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami decided to form a committee of experts on the implementation of the UCC in Uttarakhand. The UP government has also recently expressed its desire to bring the UCC.  On Saturday, Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said that the BJP government was “thinking seriously” about implementing the UCC in the state.  

“I feel that it is proper to conduct a study and examine the issue before implementing it,” Thakur said. “We need to understand what is the justification and relevance of UCC in terms of Himachal Pradesh. We need to also understand what benefit the state can get out of implementing it and whether it has to be implemented in the same way or if certain changes are needed. A final decision will soon be taken after examining all these issues. ” UCC is essentially a common set of civil laws on matters such as marriage, inheritance, divorce, adoption, and succession for all citizens, irrespective of their religion. 

When asked about whether such a code could be implemented before the assembly elections, slated to be held in late 2022, Thakur said: “We are not entirely ruling it out, we are now examining how it will be implemented or how it can be better. We have not formed a committee to examine the issue yet, we have however told the officials to study and find out how it can be done. The decision will be made after properly studying it.”

The Himachal CM also said the BJP is confident of coming to power in the state, reversing the usual trend of ruling governments never being voted back for a second term. "Riwaz badal gaya hai, and in Himachal Pradesh also, the BJP will form the government for a second term,” he said.