Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Approves Uniform Civil Code Bill

The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has approved a draft bill for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during a historic meeting in Jagdishpur. The proposed legislation aims to bring uniformity in personal laws across all communities in the state. It seeks to completely prohibit polygamy and multiple marriages, irrespective of religion. The bill also declares practices like nikah halala as illegal and punishable offences. The government plans to present the draft bill in the state assembly for discussion and approval. The move is seen as a significant step towards implementing a common set of laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens. The cabinet's decision comes after extensive deliberations and is expected to spark debate among various community groups. The UCC is a long-pending demand for legal uniformity, but has also faced opposition from some quarters who argue it infringes on religious freedom. The Madhya Pradesh government has stated that the bill will be introduced in the assembly soon, and further details will be made public after its official tabling.