Uttarakhand Waqf Board proposes new nikahnama to align with UCC
Under the revised format, the columns introducing second, third or fourth marriages will be removed, with only one marriage allowed under the UCC, which has been in force in the State since January 27, 2025
After nearly a year and a half since Uttarakhand introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the State Waqf Board is preparing a revised format for the nikahnama, the Islamic marriage contract, to align with the new law, according to Waqf Board chairman Shadab Shams. The revised format will limit marriages to a single union, as the UCC prohibits multiple marriages.
Practices like "triple talaq" and halala will also be prohibited, in line with the UCC. Additionally, interfaith couples must register under the Special Marriage Act, rather than using a redrafted nikahnama. The proposed document will include an affidavit for both parties to provide accurate personal information, and legal action will be taken for non-compliance.
Only clerics authorized by mosque management committees will be permitted to perform nikahs, and they will be assigned unique appointment numbers. The Waqf Board, responsible for managing mosques, madrasas, and associated properties in the state, is awaiting review of the proposal by the Ministry. A meeting to discuss this is scheduled for September 9, as reported by Parag Madhukar Dhakate, Minorities Welfare Special Secretary.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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