"Uttarakhand's New Civil Code Targets Unmarried Couples in India"

India's ruling party, the BJP, has implemented a controversial new Uniform Civil Code in the state of Uttarakhand, requiring unmarried couples living together to register their relationships with authorities or face imprisonment and fines. The law has sparked intense debate, with critics arguing that it infringes on individual freedoms and privacy. The code also faces criticism for its coercive aspects, potential for increased surveillance, and exclusion of non-heterosexual relationships. Proponents claim it aims to bring about equality and overhaul complex religious and customary laws, but many view it as a pushback against privileges extended to minorities, particularly Muslims, under the Indian constitution.