BJP-led Uttarakhand govt wants live-in relationship partners to register
Updated: Feb 7th, 2024
The Pushkar Dhami-led BJP government approved the draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill on Feb 4, and couples in the state got a red flag ahead of Valentine’s Day. According to the UCC, the couples may be required to inform the state authorities before moving in together as “live-in” partners.
Part III of the 740-page document stated, “It shall be obligatory for partners to have a live-in relationship within the state, whether they are residents of Uttarakhand or not, to submit a statement of live-in relationship.”
Any residents of Uttarakhand staying in a live-in relationship outside the territory of the state may also submit a statement of live-in relationship, the statement further added.
Moreover, the state also decided the fate of the children of live-in couples, saying that the child would be a legitimate child of that couple.
What if live-in relationships are not registered?
In case a live-in relationship between two persons is not registered, they could be punished and sent to jail for up to three months, fined ₹10,000, or both.
Expressing shock over the proposal, All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Saket Gokhale took to X, saying, “This (provision) means that a man and a woman merely living together will have to prove that they’re not in a live-in relationship.”
He also said that the BJP has now “stepped into your bedrooms and can investigate you whenever it feels like.”
One more provision includes that if a woman gets deserted by her live-in partner, she shall be entitled to maintenance from her partner.
Discourse over the move took over social media and users were also supporting the move, saying, “What’s wrong with all of you outraging against the Uttarakhand draft UCC?”
He also said that the move will help live-in couples define relationships. “What do you have to hide?” the user added.
