This is a very lengthy and complicated piece of legislation wherein live-in relationships require registration within a month, with penalties for non-compliance. Couples in live-in relationships cohabiting for more than a month would be required to register their relationship with the authorities.
Penalties for non-compliance: Failure to register could result in imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of Rs. 10,000, or both.
No legal recognition: It’s crucial to note that this draft UCC doesn’t grant legal recognition to live-in relationships, meaning they wouldn’t have the same rights and benefits as marriages under the law.
The debate surrounding UCC is complex and involves various religious, social, and legal considerations. The aim is to establish a uniform legal framework for marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance laws for all citizens, regardless of their religion, excluding Scheduled Tribes.
On the issue of Marriage and Family, it has progressive provisions:
- – Bans polygamy.
- – Sets the rights to the property of women and daughters.
- – Abolishes the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children regarding property rights.
- – Considers adopted, surrogated, and assisted reproductive technology children equal to biological children in terms of rights.
- – Grants equal property rights to spouses and children upon the death of a parent, also extending to the deceased’s parents.
It’s important to remember that this is just a draft proposed in one state, and it’s not yet law. Whether and how other states might address live-in relationships in their potential UCCs remains to be seen. However, this provision can be challenged in the light of constitutional rights. Make it a profound truth for generations to come.
