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Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, Speaker of Uttarakhand Assembly. (Picture: X)
In an interaction with a reporter from the Indian Women’s Press Corps, Bhushan also hoped that justice would be served in the Ankita Bhandari murder case
Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan on Monday said the state’s recently implemented Uniform Civil Code (UCC) could be amended if needed based on feedback from people.
In an interaction with a reporter from the Indian Women’s Press Corps, Bhushan also hoped that justice would be served in the Ankita Bhandari murder case.
When asked about the UCC, the state Assembly spokesperson said that there are provisions for women empowerment in the code.
“As far as UCC is concerned, women are the weakest link in society. If I say women should get property rights, what’s wrong with that? They deserve it…” she said.
Defending the controversial provision in the state’s UCC that requires domestic couples to register their relationship, Bhushan said couples need to “acknowledge” their decision.
“If an 18-year-old decides to enter into a live-in relationship, shouldn’t they admit it? This is the 21st century and if you’re making such a big decision, admit it,” she said.
Bushan also said the issue of live-in relationships did not come up in her conversations with women in rural areas of the state and it was not a major issue for them.
“This law (UCC) was proposed after two years of deliberation. If society thinks it needs to be changed, we will do it. This is not the end of the UCC, nor is it what is going to happen in the country…” she said.
“The government will see if we need any changes,” she added.
Regarding the murder case of Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist who was murdered in September 2022, Bhushan said she hoped justice would be served soon.
Pulkit Arya, son of the former BJP leader, is the prime accused in the case.
“Uttarakhand is a state that respects women. I condemn this incident. The case is under trial,” Bhushan said.
“Some things are above politics. I believe she will get justice,” she added.
Asked about the recent violence in Haldwani district of the state, Bhushan said the government had taken action over the incident.
“There is no communal conflict in Uttarakhand. We are a peaceful state. All religions live in peace. There was an incident but the state government controlled it,” she said.
On the environmental impact of infrastructure projects in the state, with Joshimath town “sinking” due to land subsidence, Bhushan stressed the need to strike a balance between environment and development.
“We want to protect the environment, but we also want to develop. Roads are crucial in mountainous areas like Uttarakhand,” she said.
Bhushan also highlighted the importance of tourism to the state’s economy. “While we should see that religious tourism does not become a picnic, we also do not want to close down and limit the number of visitors.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a Yonhap news agency feed – PTI)
