VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Northeast India’s human story may be 3,500 years older than previously thought: What archaeologists found in Nagaland’s Noklak A tiny owl flew 70 miles out to sea and collapsed on a yacht, exhausted and too weak to fly, she found an unlikely group of rescuers who refused to leave her behind 50 years ago, this California sanctuary began saving some of the world’s rarest gibbons, today, their morning songs are a remarkable story of survival Aug 23, 2026, 17:35 IST CM Yogi predicts SP wipeout in next UP polls, says ‘Babua’ Akhilesh ignored the poor ‘Devastated’: Andy Burnham leads tributes after 2 police officers among 7 killed in northeast England Destroyed in Operation Sindoor, JeM’s Bahawalpur terror base fully operational again NEET PG 2026 admit card to be released tomorrow: Check steps to download hall ticket here ‘A star the stature of Vijay speaking about child sexual abuse was crucial, important’: Chinmayi Sripaada praises Tamil Nadu CM Vijay and ‘Jana Nayagan’ director H.Vinoth for the child safety message Housing sales hit a speed bump as listed developers’ bookings fall 21% | Congress MP Deepender Hooda. Photo credit: ANI Senior Haryana Congress leader Kuldeep Sharma on Sunday urged party president Mallikarjun Kharge to remove Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda from the Congress Working Committee (CWC). Sharma accused Hooda of praising former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, whose death has reignited a political row over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.Sharma, a former speaker of the Haryana Assembly, accused Hooda of “extolling the virtues” of Kumar as a role model, saying the remarks had caused resentment within the Sikh community and could hurt the Congress ahead of the Punjab polls.“Ever since Deepender Hooda, a permanent invitee to the CWC, issued a statement extolling the virtues of Sajjan Kumar, since deceased, as a role model, it has sent shock waves among the Sikh community,” Sharma said in his letter to Kharge, PTI reported.“A few of my Sikh friends from Haryana and Punjab called me to express their resentment over such an irresponsible statement,” he added.Sharma said the remarks could affect the Congress’ support among Sikh voters.“Such a statement by Deepender Hooda on the eve of Punjab elections has not only harmed the party’s interests, but has opened the wounds of the Sikh community all over again. It is needless to say that the Congress had disassociated itself from Sajjan Kumar completely,” he wrote.He urged Kharge to remove Hooda from the CWC, saying his “immature and irresponsible remarks have weakened the Congress, especially in the eyes of the Sikh community”.Hooda, however, denied using the words “role model” or expressing such a sentiment. Speaking to reporters in Gurugram on Sunday, he said, “I did not use the words, nor did I harbour any such sentiment. These words are being put in my mouth by those who wish to play politics by undermining the spirit of brotherhood.”“As for the Sikh community, people know that we have always stood by them and supported them in every way,” he added.Meanwhile, Punjab Congress leaders have also distanced themselves from Hooda’s remarks. Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said the statement reflected Hooda’s personal view.“What Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda said, that may be his personal view,” Warring told reporters, while stressing that the 1984 riots remained a painful chapter.“Despite the passage of so much time, the trauma runs deep in people’s minds. As for Deepender Hooda said, that may be his personal view,” he said.Former Punjab chief minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi was more direct in his criticism, saying Kumar “should have been shot publicly” for his role in the riots.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIn a post on X, Channi described Kumar as a “murderer of the Sikhs” and a “traitor”.“Far from being a role model, even uttering his name is a sin. If such people become role models, then country will be destroyed,” Channi said.The controversy has also drawn attacks from the BJP, SAD and AAP, which have demanded that the Congress clarify its position.The controversy erupted after Hooda praised Kumar following his death, saying, “Today, the country’s political landscape has suffered an irreparable loss. He is cited as a role model nationwide.”Kumar, 84, died at Safdarjung Hospital on Thursday. A former three-time parliamentarian, he was convicted in cases linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The Delhi high court overturned his acquittal in the Raj Nagar case in 2018 and sentenced him to life imprisonment. In February 2025, he received another life sentence in the Saraswati Vihar murder case.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorSubhadra SrivastavaSubhadra Srivastava is a journalist with The Times of India, covering geopolitics, international and national affairs. With over three years of experience, she focuses on national and global developments, conflict, diplomacy and their impact on India. Her work combines breaking news with in-depth analysis, offering readers context and clarity on the stories shaping the world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested‘Plan To Meet Vance, Mamdani’: Why MEA Denied Permission For Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s US Trip?’No Problem When Boys Do It’: Rahul Gandhi’s Attack At PM Modi Over Jantar Mantar AbuseYoutuber Ajeet Bharti Lists 4 Big Demands At Jantar Mantar, Calls For Reservation Reform And MeritPM Modi Meets BJP’s New Team At Delhi HQ As Party Pushes Vande Mataram Legacy Nationwide‘48 Hours Or Sit-In’: Abhijeet Dipke Warns After CJP Team Allegedly Attacked Near Jaipur SchoolIndiGo Delhi-Gorakhpur Flight Makes Two Go-Arounds, Suffers Tail Impact During Third LandingPunjab Gangster’s Thar Rams Coconut Seller During Police Chase, CCTV Captures Entire IncidentRajasthan School Crisis: 611 Schools Lack Buildings, Thousands More Face Unsafe Infrastructure123PhotostoriesHina Khan recalls being brutally trolled over viral National Anthem video amid health struggles; Rubina Dilaik reveals her daughters received threats5 signs someone in your life likes to see you suffer in secret5 powerful Bhagavad Gita lessons that top performers secretly swear by at workHow to peel ginger without wastage at home: 4 smart tricks to try”It has zero fat and Akshay loves that mild sweetness”: Chef reveals Akshay Kumar’s favourite sweet snack, detailed recipe insideMekhela Chador to Jainsem: 5 traditional dresses from Northeast India you must know aboutBeyond Rajma Chawal: 8 protein-rich dishes made with kidney beans perfect for weekend brunchWhy are Gen Zs losing more hair than millennials?5 signs you have a TOXIC wifeNayanthara’s ivory saree, gold choker and gajra are a masterclass in minimal but classic Onam style123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash Aug 23, 2026, 16:26 IST ‘Beanie hair ko balding bol diya’: Arhaan Khan turns social media trolling over hair loss speculation into a joke by saying, ‘koi nahi, enjoy my Bali photos’ Why IAF still needs Sukhoi in the age of Tejas and Rafale BJP national president and MP Nitin Nabin, front second left, with party leaders Tarun Chugh, second right, Rekha Verma, left, Harsh Malhotra, behind centre, and others NEW DELHI: BJP president Nitin Nabin on Sunday held a meeting with the party’s newly appointed office-bearers to discuss its strategy for the 2027 assembly elections in seven states, including Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.The meeting at the BJP headquarters was attended by senior party functionaries, state unit presidents and state in-charges, news agency PTI reported, citing sources.According to the sources, the meeting focused on strengthening the party’s grassroots outreach and its connect with young voters, particularly in states going to polls next year.”It’s a crucial meeting to discuss a range of organisational matters with prime focus on the party’s preparations and strategy for the upcoming elections in states next year,” a source told PTI.Assembly elections are due in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Himachal Pradesh in 2027. The BJP is currently in power in four of these states – Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Goa. The Aam Aadmi Party governs Punjab, while the Congress is in power in Himachal Pradesh.Earlier on Saturday, Nabin held his first interaction with the newly appointed office-bearers as well as members of the previous BJP national team.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited the BJP headquarters on Saturday and interacted with all 67 newly appointed national office-bearers. His meeting with the party leaders lasted more than five hours.”Organisational meetings are all about new ideas and perspectives aimed at strengthening the Party and deepening connect with the people. Great interaction with fellow party colleagues and the new organisational team,” Modi said in a post on social media, sharing pictures from the meeting.According to PTI, Modi listened to each office-bearer and offered suggestions, urging the new team to expand its outreach, connect with young people and increase its grassroots presence.BJP national office-bearers’ meeting on Saturday also passed a resolution criticising the Congress over its decision to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram at its events.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe party vowed to protect the “dignity and the national status” of the full version of the national song and announced a nationwide campaign to highlight its significance.In a 10-point resolution, the BJP said it would educate and mobilise people, particularly the younger generation, about all six stanzas of Vande Mataram and its history.The party also said a resolution of the Congress Working Committee cannot override constitutional institutions or laws enacted by Parliament.”A political compromise of 1937 cannot be elevated above the constitutional settlement of 1950 and legislation enacted by Parliament in 2026,” the BJP said in its resolution.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His stories track elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested‘Plan To Meet Vance, Mamdani’: Why MEA Denied Permission For Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s US Trip?’No Problem When Boys Do It’: Rahul Gandhi’s Attack At PM Modi Over Jantar Mantar AbuseYoutuber Ajeet Bharti Lists 4 Big Demands At Jantar Mantar, Calls For Reservation Reform And MeritPM Modi Meets BJP’s New Team At Delhi HQ As Party Pushes Vande Mataram Legacy Nationwide‘48 Hours Or Sit-In’: Abhijeet Dipke Warns After CJP Team Allegedly Attacked Near Jaipur SchoolIndiGo Delhi-Gorakhpur Flight Makes Two Go-Arounds, Suffers Tail Impact During Third LandingPunjab Gangster’s Thar Rams Coconut Seller During Police Chase, CCTV Captures Entire IncidentRajasthan School Crisis: 611 Schools Lack Buildings, Thousands More Face Unsafe Infrastructure123PhotostoriesHina Khan recalls being brutally trolled over viral National Anthem video amid health struggles; Rubina Dilaik reveals her daughters received threats5 signs someone in your life likes to see you suffer in secret5 powerful Bhagavad Gita lessons that top performers secretly swear by at workHow to peel ginger without wastage at home: 4 smart tricks to try”It has zero fat and Akshay loves that mild sweetness”: Chef reveals Akshay Kumar’s favourite sweet snack, detailed recipe insideMekhela Chador to Jainsem: 5 traditional dresses from Northeast India you must know aboutBeyond Rajma Chawal: 8 protein-rich dishes made with kidney beans perfect for weekend brunchWhy are Gen Zs losing more hair than millennials?5 signs you have a TOXIC wifeNayanthara’s ivory saree, gold choker and gajra are a masterclass in minimal but classic Onam style123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash Aug 23, 2026, 16:36 IST Two 50s, seven wickets: How Ben Stokes fared on his red-ball return after international retirement ‘It’s finally real’: ‘National Treasure 3’ finally happening as Jon Turteltaub confirms script is approved and Nicolas Cage may return Palmistry Signs for Fame & Wealth: How three intersecting lines can trigger sudden public recognition, unexpected luck, and high-status success Big twist in Maharashtra hill tragedy: Teen attempted suicide from same spot in 2025 Sanjay Raut takes jibe at PM Modi, Amit Shah over Vande Mataram row NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah amid the ongoing controversy over the recitation of the national song “Vande Mataram”, challenging them to come forward and sing its full version without using a teleprompter.Addressing a press conference, Raut also criticised the Centre over inflation and the economic difficulties faced by ordinary citizens, questioning what had become cheaper during PM Modi’s 12 years in office.“First, ask Modi ji to come forward and sing it (the national song) in its entirety. Without looking at the teleprompter. Get Jay Shah to come forward and tell him to sing. Then Modi ji will sing, then Amit Shah will sing. Then Jitan Ram Manjhi will sing. Whose name should I take? Come to August Kranti Maidan. We will give you a stage. But there won’t be a teleprompter,” Raut said, according to news agency ANI.Raut attacks Centre over inflation, economic hardshipRaut then turned his criticism to the government’s economic record, saying ordinary citizens should be consulted about their problems.“In these 12 years, what has become cheaper? It has been 12 years under Modi ji. What has become cheaper? Death has become cheap. Accidents have become cheap. Suicides have become cheap. Nothing else has. Regarding sugarcane used for making sugar, the entire supply is now being diverted towards ethanol production,” he said.Raut also urged the government to engage directly with families rather than limiting its interaction with young people to universities.“You told your ministers to go to universities and have a ‘dialogue’ with GenZ. Go to those children’s homes, into their kitchens, and have a dialogue with their mothers and fathers,” he said.His remarks came amid a political dispute over the BJP’s opposition to the Congress Working Committee’s decision to restrict the singing of “Vande Mataram” to its first two stanzas at Congress programmes.BJP opposes Congress decision on two stanzasThe BJP recently passed a resolution condemning the CWC’s August 19 decision to re-adopt its 1937 resolution on the recitation of “Vande Mataram”.The BJP said it considers “Vande Mataram” India’s national song, an expression of reverence for Bharat Mata, a mantra of the freedom struggle and an enduring symbol of India’s national consciousness.The party said it would oppose the Congress decision and seek to protect the full six-stanza version of the national song. It also announced a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the history and significance of “Vande Mataram”, including a special drive among young people.Union minister Kiren Rijiju said the BJP had passed the resolution under the leadership of national president Nitin Nabin to uphold the “honour, dignity and complete legacy” of the national song.“Vande Mataram, in its complete form, is an immortal symbol of our freedom struggle and Bharat’s national consciousness. Its honour and legacy can never be compromised for political convenience or appeasement,” Rijiju said.The BJP also said its workers would take the history, meaning and national importance of “Vande Mataram” across the country.Congress, BJP trade charges over Vande MataramThe BJP’s resolution has drawn criticism from Congress leaders, who have accused the ruling party of politicising the national song.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of branding those who do not sing “Vande Mataram” as traitors and criticised the BJP’s position on the freedom struggle.Congress leader Nana Patole said the government was using nationalism to divert attention from other issues, while Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan accused the BJP of politicising patriotism and “Vande Mataram”.Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also said the government should focus on unemployment, inflation and other issues affecting citizens.“There are so many issues facing the nation, yet you want to keep the ‘Vande Mataram’ issue at the forefront because you believe it will yield political gain. If you go to the public and talk about ‘Vande Mataram’ while ordinary citizens are grappling with the burden of inflation, they will tell you to focus on their priorities and discuss those instead,” Chaturvedi said.Meanwhile, Congress leader Rakesh Sinha criticised the BJP’s resolution, saying it was contrary to the legacy of national leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Rabindranath Tagore.“It is an opposition to the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and Rabindranath Tagore. It appears that the followers of Godse are once again trying to oppose these national leaders over Vande Mataram. These are people who apologised to the British and received pensions from them,” Sinha said..Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesBJP leaders, meanwhile, have defended the resolution. Union minister Ramdas Athawale said “Vande Mataram” played an important role in India’s freedom struggle, while Union minister Giriraj Singh alleged that the song was altered in 1937 for political considerations.The Congress Working Committee had earlier decided that only the first two stanzas of “Vande Mataram” would be sung at party events, citing its 1937 resolution.Congress MP KC Venugopal said the party would follow the decisions taken by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1937.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested‘Plan To Meet Vance, Mamdani’: Why MEA Denied Permission For Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s US Trip?’No Problem When Boys Do It’: Rahul Gandhi’s Attack At PM Modi Over Jantar Mantar AbuseYoutuber Ajeet Bharti Lists 4 Big Demands At Jantar Mantar, Calls For Reservation Reform And MeritPM Modi Meets BJP’s New Team At Delhi HQ As Party Pushes Vande Mataram Legacy Nationwide‘48 Hours Or Sit-In’: Abhijeet Dipke Warns After CJP Team Allegedly Attacked Near Jaipur SchoolIndiGo Delhi-Gorakhpur Flight Makes Two Go-Arounds, Suffers Tail Impact During Third LandingPunjab Gangster’s Thar Rams Coconut Seller During Police Chase, CCTV Captures Entire IncidentRajasthan School Crisis: 611 Schools Lack Buildings, Thousands More Face Unsafe Infrastructure123PhotostoriesHina Khan recalls being brutally trolled over viral National Anthem video amid health struggles; Rubina Dilaik reveals her daughters received threats5 signs someone in your life likes to see you suffer in secret5 powerful Bhagavad Gita lessons that top performers secretly swear by at workHow to peel ginger without wastage at home: 4 smart tricks to try”It has zero fat and Akshay loves that mild sweetness”: Chef reveals Akshay Kumar’s favourite sweet snack, detailed recipe insideMekhela Chador to Jainsem: 5 traditional dresses from Northeast India you must know aboutBeyond Rajma Chawal: 8 protein-rich dishes made with kidney beans perfect for weekend brunchWhy are Gen Zs losing more hair than millennials?5 signs you have a TOXIC wifeNayanthara’s ivory saree, gold choker and gajra are a masterclass in minimal but classic Onam style123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash Bobby Deol on being typecast as a villain after ‘Aashram’ and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’: ‘Even within antagonist roles, there are different kinds of antagonists’ Ilha Da Queimada Grande: After the last ice age, the Ilha da Queimada Grande island was separated from the Brazilian mainland; today, it is the only home to the highly venomous Golden lancehead snakes in the world Lunar Eclipse on Raksha Bandhan 2026: Date, Time, Muhurat, Importance, Rituals and Remedies Trump’s ‘D-Day’ economic war on Iran: Why Gulf states are most worried India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test: Injury scare! Rishabh Pant hit on wrist, walks off retired hurt Market recap: Rs 87,960 crore wiped off four top-10 firms; Airtel bears biggest loss Priyanka Chopra stuns in a black maxi dress worth Rs 14 lakh at ‘The Cycle Of Love’ premiere in New York In 1969, an astronaut pointed Apollo 12’s camera at the sun and accidentally killed the live moon broadcast | $40 trillion debt, $1.8 trillion deficit: Why US fiscal strain is worrying global markets Mitchell Starc turns back the clock with 10-wicket haul, vows to ‘milk his body’ for Test cricket Dalal Street outlook: Markets seek recovery after two-week slide; crude, geopolitical cues in focus Shaan reacts to Arijit Singh quitting playback singing like Arijit Singh, recalls Sonu Nigam and KK’s warning: ‘Don’t sing all kinds of songs, kep your standard bro’ Moon–Jupiter Exchange 2026: A turning point for select birth dates; Is your birthdate blessed? In 2016, New Zealand targeted an estimated 200,000 mice on Antipodes Island; two years later they were declared gone, and subsequent surveys found two native bird populations had more than doubled After Maharashtra hill tragedy, Delhi man jumps into Yamuna over iPhone EMI stress; rescued Devendra Fadnavis attacked Rahul Gandhi for “taking contradictory position” Women’s Reservation Bill. NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of taking a contradictory position on women’s empowerment, saying his criticism of patriarchy does not match his stand on the Women’s Reservation Bill.Fadnavis also attacked the Congress, accusing the party of losing touch with voters and relying on public statements to remain politically relevant.”Their job is just to make speeches every day and stay relevant through television; that’s all they do. They have lost touch with the ground. This party is limited to merely issuing statements,” he claimed.He described the Congress as a “directionless party of show-offs and loudmouths”, alleging that its leaders were more focused on making speeches than on issues affecting people on the ground.Fadnavis was speaking to reporters in Nagpur on Sunday when he referred to Gandhi’s interaction with female students in Pune a day earlier.Rahul Gandhi had met girl students at his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ outreach programme in Pune on Saturday. During the interaction, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha spoke against what he described as a “Manusmriti mindset” and called on women to “smash patriarchy”.He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latter’s recent remarks that he was shocked to hear girls using abusive language during a protest at Jantar Mantar.Fadnavis questions Gandhi’s standFadnavis, however, said Rahul Gandhi should first respond to a question raised by BJP leader Chitra Wagh about his position on the Women’s Reservation Bill.The Maharashtra chief minister argued that Gandhi’s public statements on women’s empowerment were inconsistent with his alleged opposition to the legislation, which seeks to reserve 33 per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”In the country’s constitutional process, the highest institution is the Parliament, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working to ensure that 33 per cent of MPs are women,” Fadnavis said.”Coming to Pune to talk about women and then opposing the very bill that would give them real power, that’s Rahul Gandhi’s hypocritical stand,” Fadnavis said.”He does not want to give rights to women. I believe his words don’t match his actions,” the chief minister said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRajeev SinghRajeev Singh is a Digital Content Producer with The Times of India. He covers politics, policies, defence, and conflicts for readers curious to know their implications. He loves digging into legal maxims and political trivia. On off days, when not turning pages or learning русский, he lives in the reverie of “what ifs” and “how abouts.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested‘Plan To Meet Vance, Mamdani’: Why MEA Denied Permission For Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s US Trip?’No Problem When Boys Do It’: Rahul Gandhi’s Attack At PM Modi Over Jantar Mantar AbuseYoutuber Ajeet Bharti Lists 4 Big Demands At Jantar Mantar, Calls For Reservation Reform And MeritPM Modi Meets BJP’s New Team At Delhi HQ As Party Pushes Vande Mataram Legacy Nationwide‘48 Hours Or Sit-In’: Abhijeet Dipke Warns After CJP Team Allegedly Attacked Near Jaipur SchoolIndiGo Delhi-Gorakhpur Flight Makes Two Go-Arounds, Suffers Tail Impact During Third LandingPunjab Gangster’s Thar Rams Coconut Seller During Police Chase, CCTV Captures Entire IncidentRajasthan School Crisis: 611 Schools Lack Buildings, Thousands More Face Unsafe InfrastructureBJP Builds Gen Z Team As Rahul Gandhi Takes Student Outreach To Pune With ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’123Photostories5 signs someone in your life likes to see you suffer in secret5 powerful Bhagavad Gita lessons that top performers secretly swear by at workHow to peel ginger without wastage at home: 4 smart tricks to try”It has zero fat and Akshay loves that mild sweetness”: Chef reveals Akshay Kumar’s favourite sweet snack, detailed recipe insideMekhela Chador to Jainsem: 5 traditional dresses from Northeast India you must know aboutBeyond Rajma Chawal: 8 protein-rich dishes made with kidney beans perfect for weekend brunchWhy are Gen Zs losing more hair than millennials?5 signs you have a TOXIC wifeNayanthara’s ivory saree, gold choker and gajra are a masterclass in minimal but classic Onam style10 meaningful baby boy names inspired by positive human qualities123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash Aug 23, 2026, 15:16 IST Australia vs Bangladesh Test becomes only 28th two-day Test in 2632-match history Gold, silver prices likely to extend gains next week as investors await US data Suriya’s ‘Karuppu’ completes 100 days in theatres after crossing Rs 300 crore worldwide, RJ Balaji calls it ‘a fairytale journey, a generational blockbuster’ Small Room Decor Tips: Simple ways to make a small room look and feel more spacious: Here’s all you need to know 28-year-old Punjab man shot dead in New York while delivering pizza Quote of the day by Seneca: “The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which depends on tomorrow and wastes today” | World News What changes for you and what doesn’t under UCC The phrase Uniform Civil Code sounds deceptively simple. One country. One civil code. One set of rules for everyone, irrespective of religion.But India’s experiment with the UCC reveals a more complicated reality.A Hindu woman in Uttarakhand does not necessarily experience the UCC in the same way as a Muslim woman. A Christian family may see a different set of changes from a Muslim family. Some provisions alter the law substantially for one community while making relatively little difference to another.This is particularly clear in two areas: marriage and inheritance.The UCC’s prohibition of polygamy is a major change for Muslims because Muslim personal law traditionally permitted a Muslim man to have more than one wife. But Hindu, Sikh, Christian and Parsi laws already prohibited bigamy.Similarly, saying that the UCC “gives daughters equal inheritance” is incomplete. Hindu daughters already acquired equal coparcenary rights under the 2005 amendment to the Hindu Succession Act. Muslim daughters had a legal right to inherit too, but not an equal share as that of son.So the real story of the UCC is not simply what changes. It is what changes for whom and what happens when a change in law enters an Indian family?What is UCCIndia does not have one uniform set of personal laws governing marriage, divorce, succession and related family matters.Instead, different communities have historically been governed by different combinations of personal laws and legislation.Constitution Article 44: The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.Explaining that Article 44 does not itself create or enforce a Uniform Civil Code, Delhi advocate Rupali Jain said, “It is a Directive Principle of State Policy, meaning it sets a constitutional objective: the State should endeavour to secure a UCC across India.” The idea behind the UCC is to move certain matters of family life away from religion-specific personal laws and place them under a common civil framework.Uttarakhand became the first state to bring such a comprehensive code into force on January 27, 2025. Gujarat, Assam and Madhya Pradesh have subsequently passed their own UCC legislation, while other BJP-ruled states are pursuing similar measures.That makes this no longer a theoretical constitutional debate as it becomes a question of how family life is legally organised.What actually changes under UCC?MARRIAGE Earlier, India had no single registration rule covering every marriage. Different personal laws and statutes followed different procedures. “A marriage could often be legally valid upon proper solemnisation even without registration but UCC mandates bring marriages covered by it under one common statutory registration framework,” said advocate Nikhil Kumar Jha.What changes for Muslims? Under traditional Muslim personal law, a Muslim man could marry up to four wives, subject to the applicable conditions.UCC changes this. It requires a person seeking to marry to establish that they do not already have a living spouse. In other words, a Muslim man can no longer have more than one wife at the same time in a UCC-governed marriage.This is a substantive change for Muslims because polygamy was permitted under Muslim personal law.The practical consequence is significant: a Muslim man who already has a wife cannot enter another legally valid marriage under the UCC.What changes for non-Muslims?For Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and Parsis, the UCC’s monogamy provision does not represent the same kind of change.The Hindu Marriage Act, for instance, already requires that neither party have a living spouse when marrying. A Hindu marriage entered into while a spouse is living is void under the Act.Christian, Sikh and Parsi marriage laws also operate on a monogamous framework. So for these communities, the UCC largely carries an existing principle into a common civil framework rather than creating a new right or restriction.The same UCC provision appears to apply to everyone, but its impact is not the same for everyone.What changes under the umbrella of marriage?INHERITANCEInheritance is perhaps the area where the UCC is most easily misunderstood.The common claim that the UCC will give daughters equal inheritance rights makes it sound as though daughters previously had no right to their parents’ property. That is not true.What changes for Hindus?For Hindu women, the law had already changed substantially. The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 made daughters coparceners by birth, giving them rights equal to sons in ancestral property.The Supreme Court’s Vineeta Sharma judgment subsequently clarified the daughter’s right as a coparcener by birth. So a Hindu daughter did not enter the UCC era without an inheritance right. The UCC does not simply give Hindu daughters a new right to inherit. They already had substantial equal inheritance rights under Hindu law. The UCC replaces the religion-specific Hindu framework with a common set of rules governing who inherits when a person dies without a will. Under UCC, both father and mother of a deceased person are placed in the first category of heirs, whereas under the Hindu Succession Act the mother is a Class I heir but the father falls in Class II. “Coparcenary is only one part of succession law. A common succession scheme goes further by restructuring who qualifies as an heir, the order in which heirs inherit, how shares are distributed and what happens when a person dies without a will. The UCC’s broader change is therefore to replace community-specific succession systems with a common statutory framework governing intestate inheritance and identifying legal heirs,” said Jain.What changes for Muslims?The more dramatic difference appears when we compare this with Muslim succession law.Under Muslim succession rules, daughters are heirs. But the shares are prescribed according to the applicable rules of Muslim inheritance. In the familiar situation where a son and daughter inherit together, the son generally receives twice the share of the daughter.So before UCC, a Muslim son and daughter could both inherit but not equally. Under UCC, the religion of the deceased no longer determines the succession rule. The common framework provides equal treatment of male and female heirs in the relevant succession categories.That means the UCC’s inheritance change is far more substantive for a Muslim daughter than for a Hindu daughter, whose equal coparcenary rights already existed under the 2005 law.It is important to note that UCC does not mandate equal share of assets.Does this mean a 50-50 split between son and daughter?No. The story changes when there is a will in question that has specified shares mentioned.Dying without a will is not the same as leaving a will.The UCC does not say every daughter, son should receive 50% share. Nor does it mandate that parents distribute their property equally among their children through a will.If there is no will, the UCC’s common succession rules determine who inherits and in what shares. If there is a will, the property is distributed according to the testator’s wishes within the legal framework.So the UCC should not be sold to readers as a law that automatically makes every family’s property division equal.A parent can still make a will.A daughter can have a statutory right and still never receive the property if she voluntarily relinquishes it or the property is otherwise dealt with lawfully during the parent’s lifetime.Inheritance is more about mindset than legality.This is where the law meets Indian family sociology. The law can make a daughter equal. Can society? This is perhaps the strongest question to emerge from the inheritance debate.Because inheritance in India is not just a legal transaction. It can be an emotional negotiation. A daughter may hear: “Your brother will look after the parents,” or “you have your husband’s home,” or “We already spent money on your wedding.”She may sign away her share. She may never ask for it. Or she may insist on her legal entitlement and fight a battle with her family.This is why the real social impact of the UCC cannot be measured only by what percentage of property the law gives women.LIVE-IN RELATIONSHIPSThis may eventually be one of the UCC’s most socially consequential provisions because it takes the law beyond traditional religious personal law and into a relationship that is, by definition, outside marriage.Marriage and inheritance involve areas where Indian law has long regulated family life. Live-in relationships are fairly new.UCC creates a formal registration framework for live-in relationships, including procedures for registration and termination. The state provides dedicated online services for both.This means the state is not merely deciding what happens when two people marry. It is also creating a legal framework around a relationship in which the couple has chosen not to marry.The justification can be protection — particularly in relation to partners and children. But it also raises a question about privacy: When two adults deliberately choose not to enter the legal institution of marriage, how much should the state know about their relationship?“The State’s justification is that registration creates an official record, helps establish the relationship during disputes and may protect partners and children by making rights easier to enforce. Registration does not automatically convert a live-in relationship into a marriage or give every marital right. Critics, however, question whether compulsory disclosure is proportionate. The larger debate is whether the State can protect vulnerable partners while respecting the privacy of adults who consciously choose to remain outside marriage,” said Jain.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesIf the law is uniform, why are there different state UCCs?The present state-level UCCs are attempts to create uniformity within a state, not across India. “Article 44 envisages a UCC throughout the country, but no single national Code currently exists. Therefore, states can adopt different frameworks, with different provisions and scope, until Parliament creates a common nationwide regime,” said Jha.Because the UCC is uniform in its application, but its effect is not uniform across people.The real UCC question: Can law change society?A law can say a Muslim man cannot have a second wife. But what happens to a woman whose husband enters another relationship informally?A law can give a daughter an equal inheritance entitlement. But what happens when her family asks her to give it up?A law can create common divorce rules. But what happens when a woman cannot afford to leave her marriage?A law can require a live-in relationship to be registered. But what happens to the idea of privacy between two consenting adults?These are not questions that can be answered by reading the title of a statute. They are questions about how law interacts with family, custom, money, gender and social pressure.The UCC does not change everything for everyone. It changes different things for different communities.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorNatasha SinghPrincipal Digital Content ProducerEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested‘Plan To Meet Vance, Mamdani’: Why MEA Denied Permission For Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s US Trip?’No Problem When Boys Do It’: Rahul Gandhi’s Attack At PM Modi Over Jantar Mantar AbuseYoutuber Ajeet Bharti Lists 4 Big Demands At Jantar Mantar, Calls For Reservation Reform And MeritPM Modi Meets BJP’s New Team At Delhi HQ As Party Pushes Vande Mataram Legacy Nationwide‘48 Hours Or Sit-In’: Abhijeet Dipke Warns After CJP Team Allegedly Attacked Near Jaipur SchoolIndiGo Delhi-Gorakhpur Flight Makes Two Go-Arounds, Suffers Tail Impact During Third LandingPunjab Gangster’s Thar Rams Coconut Seller During Police Chase, CCTV Captures Entire IncidentRajasthan School Crisis: 611 Schools Lack Buildings, Thousands More Face Unsafe InfrastructureBJP Builds Gen Z Team As Rahul Gandhi Takes Student Outreach To Pune With ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’123Photostories5 signs someone in your life likes to see you suffer in secret5 powerful Bhagavad Gita lessons that top performers secretly swear by at workHow to peel ginger without wastage at home: 4 smart tricks to try”It has zero fat and Akshay loves that mild sweetness”: Chef reveals Akshay Kumar’s favourite sweet snack, detailed recipe insideMekhela Chador to Jainsem: 5 traditional dresses from Northeast India you must know aboutBeyond Rajma Chawal: 8 protein-rich dishes made with kidney beans perfect for weekend brunchWhy are Gen Zs losing more hair than millennials?5 signs you have a TOXIC wifeNayanthara’s ivory saree, gold choker and gajra are a masterclass in minimal but classic Onam style10 meaningful baby boy names inspired by positive human qualities123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash Aug 23, 2026, 15:02 IST How Bangladesh’s loss to Australia boosts India’s WTC final hopes Meet the IIT Bombay graduate who rejected an ISRO job to build a Rs 1,000 crore startup In 1975, Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra’s ‘Sholay’ made Rs 50 crores; then why was it declared a FLOP? Harsh Goenka: 11,123 Ahmedabad restaurants asked to show live kitchen footage: Impressed Harsh Goenka asks, ‘Time to take this pan-India?’