Unpolitics: Gujarat UCC pushes gender justice, says Deputy CM Harsh Sanghvi

In an interview, Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister, Harsh Sanghvi, detailed the state's new Uniform Civil Code (UCC), positioning it as a law for gender justice. Following Uttarakhand, Gujarat has become the second state to pass a UCC bill, which aims to create a common legal framework for marriage, divorce, and succession for all communities. Sanghvi, who also manages the Home, Police, and Transport portfolios, noted that the legislation was drafted after the Justice Ranjana Desai Committee reviewed over 20 lakh public suggestions. Key provisions include the mandatory registration of marriages and live-in relationships, a measure intended to protect women from fraudulent relationships. The law also grants legitimate status to children born from live-in unions and allows deserted women to claim maintenance. Sanghvi clarified that while parental notification is required for marriage registration, their consent is not. He also defended the exemption of tribal communities from the UCC's provisions.