Rajasthan Cabinet Approves Uniform Civil Code Bill

The Rajasthan Cabinet on Thursday approved a draft bill to implement a Uniform Civil Code in the state, making Rajasthan the fifth state to advance such legislation. The bill, which aims to establish common laws for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships, will be introduced in the state Assembly during its monsoon session beginning August 20.

The approval was announced by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel following a Cabinet meeting. The proposed law seeks to replace community-specific personal laws with a uniform framework for all citizens, except for Scheduled Tribes and communities with constitutionally protected customary rights. The bill is based on the recommendations of a high-level committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, which also drafted similar codes for other states.

Under the proposed legislation, marriage registration will be mandatory within 60 days for all marriages solemnized after the law comes into force. Failure to register will not invalidate a marriage but will attract a fine of up to 10,000 rupees, increasing to 25,000 rupees for continued non-compliance. The...