Assam Assembly Passes Uniform Civil Code Bill
The Assam Assembly on Wednesday passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailing it as a 'historic' moment. With this, Assam becomes the third state in India after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to adopt a UCC framework.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The legislation seeks to introduce a common legal system governing marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships, irrespective of religion. Among its key provisions, the bill proposes a ban on polygamy and makes registration of live-in relationships mandatory. Violations could lead to up to seven years of imprisonment for bigamy or polygamy and three months of jail for failure to register live-in relationships.
Exemptions and Debate
However, the law will not apply to Scheduled Tribe communities residing in Assam. The Bill was passed through a voice vote amid slogans and applause in the Assembly, following a day-long debate. The opposition had demanded that the bill be referred to a select committee for wider consultation, but the government pushed it through.
Reactions
Chief Minister Sarma described the passage as a landmark step towards uniform civil laws in the state. He emphasized that the bill aims to ensure gender justice and social harmony. The opposition, however, criticized the lack of adequate consultation and raised concerns about the impact on minority communities.
