Madhya Pradesh UCC Draft Likely Ready Within 8–10 Days; Live-in Registration Proposed
The high-level committee constituted to prepare the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for Madhya Pradesh met in Bhopal on Monday to gather suggestions from political parties, experts, and various social groups.
Committee chairman and former Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Shatrughan Singh said the final draft of the UCC is expected to be ready within eight to ten days. If the state government approves, the proposed bill could be introduced during the upcoming monsoon session of the Assembly.
Live-in Relationship Registration Proposed
One of the key proposals in the draft is the mandatory registration of live-in relationships. According to the committee, couples choosing to live together without marriage would be required to register their relationship within 30 days.
The proposal aims to provide legal protection to both partners. In the event of a dispute or separation, the woman and any children born from the relationship would be entitled to maintenance. Children from registered live-in relationships would also enjoy the same inheritance rights as children born within marriage.
The committee believes that formal registration could also help reduce legal disputes, including cases where allegations of rape are made after the breakdown of a relationship based on claims of a false promise of marriage.
Tribal Representatives Suggest Marriage Reforms
Representatives from tribal communities recommended introducing a minimum legal age for marriage among tribals and making marriage registration compulsory. They argued that these measures would help curb child marriage and improve legal protection for women.
Two Reports to Accompany Final Draft
Shatrughan Singh said the committee will submit two reports along with the final draft. The first will compile all suggestions received from individuals, experts, and organizations, while the second will explain which recommendations were incorporated into the proposed UCC and the reasons for their inclusion.
Opposition to Live-in Provision
The proposed live-in registration clause drew criticism from some organizations. Chandrashekhar Tiwari, President of the Hindu Utsav Samiti, argued that the UCC should not include any provision recognizing live-in relationships, claiming they are contrary to Sanatan values. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind also opposed the inclusion of such a provision in the draft.
Political Participation
Representatives from the Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) did not attend the meeting convened to seek suggestions on the UCC.
On behalf of the BJP, State General Secretary Rahul Kothari and Law Cell In-charge S.S. Uppal proposed stricter measures to ensure transparency in marriages. They suggested making it a punishable offence to knowingly conceal important facts before marriage and called for mandatory local registration of marriages involving Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
The BJP also recommended introducing a provision allowing senior citizens to seek de-registration or withdrawal of inherited property rights from children who fail to provide them with proper care and support.
