Uttarakhand Assembly passes controversial Bills on UCC, anti-conversion, and minority education
The Uttarakhand Assembly passed nine Bills amidst uproar, including amendments to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and anti-conversion laws, and a new Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025. The UCC (Amendment) Bill, 2025, increases punishments for illegal live-in relationships, with married persons entering such relationships facing up to seven years in jail. The Anti-conversion Bill, 2025, extends jail terms for "forced conversions" to life and includes provisions for "false promises of marriage" and hiding religion with intent to marry. The Minority Educational Institutions Bill extends benefits to Sikh, Jain, Christian, Parsi, and Buddhist institutions, while mandating madrasas to seek affiliation from the Uttarakhand Education Board by July 2026 or face closure.
Key Points
- Uttarakhand Assembly passed several controversial Bills, including amendments to UCC and anti-conversion laws.
- The UCC (Amendment) Bill, 2025, increases penalties for illegal live-in relationships, especially for married individuals.
- The Anti-conversion Bill, 2025, introduces harsher punishments for forced conversions and includes new provisions against false promises of marriage and hiding religion.
- A new Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025, extends benefits to specific minority communities and mandates affiliation for madrasas.
Exam Facts
- The Bills passed include the Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Freedom of Religion and Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
- Section 380(2) of the UCC amendment deals with live-in relationships.
- The Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025, extends benefits to Sikh, Jain, Christian, Parsi, and Buddhist communities.
- Madrasas must seek affiliation from the Uttarakhand Education Board by July 1, 2026.
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