By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 17 Feb: The budget session of the Uttarakhand Assembly, set to commence from tomorrow onwards, is expected to be tumultuous as the Congress has decided to oppose the Government on various issues inside the House. Speaking informally with media persons at Congress Bhawan here, today, State Mahila Congress President, Jyoti Rautela shared that the party will strongly oppose the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state.
While on the one hand, Congress MLAs plan to surround the government on various issues inside the House, on the other, the Congress also plans to stage dharnas and protests on the streets outside the Vidhan Sabha Building, on issues such as the UCC and the smart meters being installed in the state. Congress has announced a march to the Assembly on 20 February in protest against the UCC in Uttarakhand.
Following the implementation of the UCC, the government has made registration mandatory for those in live-in relationships. Making this an issue, Congress has decided to march on 20 February during the assembly session. State President of the Mahila Congress Jyoti Rautela said that although there are serious issues like unemployment, inflation, and women’s safety within the state, this time, the Congress is taking to the streets to protest against the Uniform Civil Code.
She said that the UCC, which focuses on legitimising live-in relationships, was implemented in a way that necessitates opposition. Jyoti Rautela noted that Uttarakhand is known as Devbhoomi, where people of all religions coexist. However, the BJP government of Uttarakhand has made registration mandatory for those in live-in relationships under the UCC Act, which she believes is against the culture of Devbhoomi.
Jyoti Rautela claims that, by implementing the UCC in the state, the government has laid a wrong foundation for future generations. She stated that the state government is making a significant mistake by recognising live-in relationships in Uttarakhand. She warned that after gheraoing the Assembly on the 20 February, the Congress party will raise this issue in every district and assembly. It is worth noting that the Mahila Congress had initially decided to gherao the Assembly to oppose the UCC, but at Jyoti Rautela’s request, Congress state president Karan Mahara, along with other party leaders and workers, will also join the protest.
