The Assam government on Monday introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the state assembly, marking a major legislative move aimed at creating a common framework for personal laws in the state. The bill was tabled by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while opposition legislators raised objections during the proceedings.
The draft legislation had received approval from the Assam Cabinet last week ahead of the first session of the newly elected Assam Legislative Assembly. According to government sources, discussions on the bill are expected to continue during the ongoing assembly session.
Key Provisions Included In The Proposed UCC
As per details shared earlier by Minister Atul Bora and reported by NDTV, the proposed law focuses on several areas related to personal laws, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and live-in relationships. The government has said the objective is to establish a uniform legal structure that applies equally to citizens irrespective of religion.
Among the major provisions proposed in the bill are a uniform minimum age for marriage, a complete ban on polygamy, protection of inheritance rights for women, and compulsory registration of marriages, divorces and live-in relationships.
The bill also proposes a legal mechanism for the registration of live-in relationships, which the government says is intended to safeguard the rights of partners and children born from such unions.
Tribal Communities To Remain Outside The Scope Of The Law
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier clarified that tribal communities residing in both hill and plain areas of Assam would be exempted from the proposed Uniform Civil Code. The state government has maintained that the Assam version of the UCC has been customised to protect tribal customs, traditions and religious practices.
The proposed legislation is also being presented as an Assam-specific model that differs from UCC frameworks introduced in other states.
Opposition Parties Raise Concerns Over The Bill
The introduction of the bill triggered protests from opposition parties, including the Congress, Raijor Dal and the Trinamool Congress. Opposition leaders demanded broader consultation with stakeholders before the legislation is debated further in the assembly.
Political parties opposing the bill have also questioned the timing and intent behind the government’s move, arguing that the legislation requires wider public discussion before implementation.
Assam Could Become Third State To Pass UCC
With the tabling of the bill, Assam is set to become the third Indian state after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to introduce and move towards implementing a Uniform Civil Code. Similar proposals in other states have included provisions related to marriage registration and live-in relationships.
The Uniform Civil Code remains one of the most debated constitutional subjects in India. While Articles 25 to 28 of the Constitution guarantee freedom of religion, Article 44 encourages the state to work towards a common civil code for citizens.
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