The Assam State Jamiat Ulama has described the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Assam as an attempt to impose a 'black law' aimed at targeting Muslims. Speaking to the media in Guwahati on Monday, the organisation said it would move court against the UCC, calling it unconstitutional.
Background of the UCC in Assam
On May 13, the Assam cabinet approved 'The Assam Uniform Civil Code Bill-2026'. The bill was later introduced and passed in the Assam Legislative Assembly. Implementation of the UCC will require the President's assent, since it deals with subjects on the Concurrent List.
Jamiat Ulama's Stance
The Jamiat, led by Badruddin Ajmal, said around 15% of Assam's indigenous tribal population has been kept outside the scope of the law, and said it has consistently opposed the move and decided to legally challenge it when required.
'Personal laws governing matters such as Marriage, Divorce, Succession & Inheritance, Adoption, and Guardianship differ across various religions, castes, tribes, and ethnic groups based on cultural and historical traditions. The Assam State Jamiat Ulama believes that bringing all communities under a single Uniform Civil Code while ignoring these diversities will harm the distinctiveness, neutrality, religious freedom, and cultural identity of citizens,' said Fazlul Karim Qasimi, Additional General Secretary of Assam State Jamiat Ulama. He alleged the UCC is intended to impose a coercive policy on Muslim Shariat and religious traditions. 'This is unacceptable and Jamiat Ulama will take recourse to the court,' Qasimi said.
Comparisons with Other States
The Jamiat cited other states to argue that UCC laws have excluded tribal populations. It said the Uttarakhand government enacted the Uniform Civil Code, but it does not apply to the state's 16% tribal population. It added that the Gujarat Legislative Assembly passed 'The Gujarat Uniform Civil Code-2026' on March 24, 2026, though it has not been implemented yet.
'This Civil Code will apply to the entire state of Gujarat as well as to residents of Gujarat living outside the state. This code will not apply to the 16 percent tribal population of Gujarat. The clear stance of Jamiat Ulama is that this is a black and autocratic law. If this law were for the welfare of the public, then why was it not passed in the Parliament for every citizen of the entire nation?' Qasimi asked.
Assam UCC Provisions
Last month, the Assam Assembly passed the UCC Bill, formulating a common legal framework proposing mandatory monogamy, gender equality in property inheritance, and, for the first time, registration of live-in relationships without religious bias.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who moved the bill for passage, said the legislation—also a BJP poll promise in the last assembly election—was a major first step toward gender justice. The bill excludes tribal communities from its purview, citing customary laws followed by these communities for generations.
