Dehradun/IBNS: Uttarakhand on Monday became the first Indian state to roll out Uniform Civil Code or UCC.

A portal for UCC was also launched by Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

On rolling out UCC, Dhami said, "The beginning of a new era of equality and harmony!"

With the implementation of UCC, practices like Halala, polygamy, child marriage, triple talaq will be stopped, said Dhami.

"Women's empowerment will be ensured in the true sense," said Dhami.

On allegations that the UCC is against any religion, the chief minister said, "I would like to clarify once again that the Uniform Civil Code is not against any religion or sect. It is not about targeting anyone."

After he was re-elected, CM Dhami had formed an expert committee to draft a law.

The expert committee, which was headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash, was established on May 27, 2022.

The committee had submitted its report in February 2024.

The UCC addresses societal issues like marriage, divorce, live-in relationships ensuring equal property rights and child rights.

Some of the key points of UCC

1. Minimum age for marriage is 21 for boys and 18 years for girls
2. Second marriage not allowed when husband or wife is alive
3. Daughters have equal property rights across religions and communities
4. Registration for live-in relationships mandatory
5. Children born through live-in relationships will also have equal rights in property