The Assam government on Thursday tabled the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill in the state assembly, proposing a ban on polygamy and aiming to bring uniformity in marriage and divorce laws across all communities. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma introduced the bill, which seeks to replace personal laws with a common set of rules governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The bill, named the Assam Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2024, explicitly prohibits polygamy, making it a punishable offense. It also sets the minimum marriage age for men and women at 21 and 18 years respectively, aligning with existing laws. Additionally, the bill mandates registration of all marriages and divorces, with provisions for penalties in case of non-compliance.
Impact on Personal Laws
The proposed legislation will override personal laws based on religion, including Muslim personal law which allows polygamy. The government argues that the bill promotes gender equality and social justice. However, opposition parties have criticized the move, calling it an infringement on religious freedoms and a political stunt ahead of elections.
Reactions and Debates
While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supports the bill, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and Congress have opposed it. AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal termed the bill unconstitutional, while Congress leader Debabrata Saikia accused the government of dividing society. The bill has been referred to a select committee for further scrutiny.
Assam becomes the second state after Uttarakhand to introduce a UCC bill. The move is seen as a significant step towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code, a long-standing promise of the BJP. The bill is expected to be passed in the current session, pending committee recommendations.
