The five-member committee formed to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand held its first meeting in New Delhi on Monday (4 July). The meeting was held at the Uttarakhand Sadan. It was headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai.

Justice (retired) Desai told reporters after the meeting: “This was our first UCC meeting. All committee members attended this meeting. After one week, most probably, a second meeting will be held; 14 and 15 July is the tentative date for the second meeting.”

Justice (retired) Desai has reportedly added: “It was a preliminary meeting. The next meeting will be more important.”

The Republic World has reported that Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh has said that a report on UCC is likely in six months. Earlier this year, CM Dhami had made an announcement on implementing the UCC if his party came to power in the 2022 state assembly election.

The BJP won the assembly election and Dhami, in May, constituted a five-member draft committee led by Justice (retired) Desai. The committee will work towards the preparation of a draft proposal for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand.

Dhami told Republic World in a statement that the committee has begun its work; will take suggestions from the people of the state, will discuss the matters with the stakeholders, and prepare a draft.

Dhami said that there will be "jansamvad" (dialogue with the public) held on the issue. He added that after the draft is ready, the state government will implement the UCC in Uttarakhand.

The five member committee includes Justice (retired) Desai, retired IAS officer Shatrughan Singh, former High Court Judge Pramod Kohli, Surekha Dangwal who is Doon University Vice-Chancellor and social worker Manu Gaur.

CM Dhami reaffirmed his commitment to implement UCC in Uttarakhand. He said that there should be "one law for every religion".

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