INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
An Indian state has approved an unprecedented uniform code for marriage, divorce, adoption and inheritance for Hindus, Muslims and other
religious communities under new legislation that also requires couples that live together to register with the government or face
punishment.Northern Uttarakhand state lawmakers passed the legislation on Wednesday and its approval by the state governor and the Indian
president is seen as a formality before it becomes law in the state
comprised of around 80% Hindus and about 14% Muslims
expected to introduce similar legislation
If the BJP wins national elections expected in April or May, it may bring such legislation at the federal level.The new law bans polygamy
for divorce.Hindus, Muslims, Christians and other minority groups in India currently follow their own laws and customs for marriage,
divorce, adoption and inheritance.Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, said the legislation is merely
This bill forces me to follow a different religion and culture
bill is the introduction of stringent measures that require the registration of live-in relationships
Couples failing to register their live-in status with district officials could face up to six months in prison or a fine of 25,000 rupees
($305) or both, said Manoj Singh Tamta, a state government official.He said the bill explicitly states that children born out of such
relationships will be considered legitimate offspring of the couple, inheriting all legal rights available to those born within a
traditional marriage.Sanjay Agnihotri, a consultant with a non-government organization that works in micro-financing, said he and his
girlfriend belong to different castes and their families oppose the idea of them marrying
Agnihotri.Uttarakhand became the first Indian state after it won independence from British colonialists in 1947 to adopt legislation on
decades.Source: The Associated Press--Agencies
