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Suresh Rathore’s second marriage has drawn attention as Uttarakhand is the first state to implement UCC, and his union with Urmila Sanawar may face scrutiny under its provisions
Former MLA Suresh Rathore got married at the Pashupatinath temple in Nepal on October 4, 2022. (News18 Hindi)
Former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore has sparked controversy after publicly announcing his second marriage to local actress Urmila Sanawar. At a press conference held in Saharanpur on June 15, the former Jawalapur legislator introduced Sanawar as his wife, with the actress standing beside him.
The revelation has triggered political uproar in Uttarakhand, with the Congress accusing Suresh Rathore of violating the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and demanding action from the BJP.
How Did BJP Respond To It?
In response, the BJP, seeking to contain the fallout, has issued a notice of indiscipline to Rathore on the instructions of state party president Mahendra Bhatt. State general secretary Rajendra Bisht has given Rathore seven days to respond, stating that his conduct is damaging the party’s image.
The issue has drawn significant attention as Uttarakhand is the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code, and Rathore’s second marriage may come under scrutiny under its provisions. Rathore is already married, making his union with Urmila Sanawar his second marriage.
Meanwhile, Urmila Sanawar has addressed the controversy through a social media post directed at the BJP state president. “I want to bring to your notice that I had a Gandharva marriage with former MLA Suresh Rathore at the Pashupatinath temple in Nepal on October 4, 2022.”
“This marriage was solemnised with our mutual consent and according to religious customs. After our marriage, there was discussion about our relationship on social media and public platforms for nearly two years. Finally, on June 15, 2025, Suresh Rathore publicly acknowledged our 2022 marriage in front of the media — something I have been openly accepting for a long time,” she said.
Was UCC Provisions Violated?
Sanawar emphasised that their marriage took place well before the Uniform Civil Code came into effect in Uttarakhand on January 27, 2025, and therefore did not violate any of its provisions.
“Some people are deliberately spreading confusion about this marriage and claiming that it took place on June 15, 2025, whereas the reality is that the marriage was solemnised in 2022 itself,” Urmila Sanawar said.
“It is noteworthy that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) came into force in Uttarakhand on January 27, 2025, while our marriage took place much before that. Therefore, no provision of the UCC has been violated. It is also unfortunate that when some prominent politicians — like Harish Rawat, Narayan Dutt Tiwari, Digvijay Singh and others — have had two marriages, no questions are raised. But when a Dalit woman marries a Dalit leader, objections are raised. This is socially inappropriate,” she added.
- Location :
Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), India, India
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