New Delhi – The recent implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand has ignited debates over individual rights and interfaith relationships, with critics arguing that it reinforces state control over private lives. Enacted on January 27, 2025, Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to implement the UCC, which authorities claim aims to promote gender justice, legal uniformity, and administrative efficiency. However, when combined with existing anti-conversion laws, experts fear it marks a legal push towards segregation along religious lines.
Interfaith marriages in India have long faced social and legal obstacles. A 2014 survey of over 70,000 respondents revealed that fewer than 10% of urban Indians had a family member who married outside their caste, while interfaith unions were even rarer at just 5%. The Special Marriage Act, 1954, already imposes administrative hurdles such as a 30-day public notice period, exposing couples to scrutiny and potential backlash.
With anti-conversion laws already in place in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and other states, legal experts believe that the introduction of the UCC will further marginalize interfaith couples. The combined effect of these laws, they argue, is creating an environment where personal choices, particularly regarding marriage and religious identity, are increasingly subjected to state oversight.
As India moves towards a ‘New India’ vision, concerns are rising over the erosion of the nation’s pluralistic fabric. Critics warn that the legal framework is making it increasingly difficult for individuals to navigate relationships freely, raising fundamental questions about personal liberty in a democratic society.
