The Assam Assembly on Wednesday passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, making Assam the first state in the Northeast and the third in India after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to adopt such legislation. The bill, introduced by the BJP-led government under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, creates a single legal framework governing marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance and live‑in relationships for non‑tribal residents of the state.
The legislation introduces sweeping changes to personal laws: it bans polygamy, mandates compulsory registration of marriages and divorces, provides for registration of live‑in relationships and sets out uniform inheritance and succession rules. A controversial element is the repeal of older religion‑specific statutes, including provisions related to Muslim marriage registration, which critics say could disproportionately affect minority communities.
Defending the measure in the Assembly, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma framed the UCC as a reform aimed at gender justice and equal rights for women, saying it would help vulnerable women by eliminating discriminatory practices embedded in some personal laws. The government also emphasised that the Assam model is adapted to local realities and had been “customised” to protect tribal rituals, traditions and customs.
To address ethnic sensitivities, the bill explicitly excludes Scheduled Tribes from its scope. Assam’s large indigenous tribal population, with distinct customary practices and traditional legal systems, has been left outside the UCC’s ambit-a move seen by the government as a strategic effort to avoid resistance from tribal communities.
The bill provoked heated debate inside and outside the Assembly. Opposition parties accused the government of attempting to impose a socially divisive law without sufficient public consultation, arguing that personal laws are deeply tied to faith and community identity. Political analysts say the passage of the UCC Bill could become a major national talking point as other BJP-ruled states consider similar measures.
Legal experts warn the Assam model will face close judicial and constitutional scrutiny, particularly on issues of religious freedom and the balance between equality and cultural autonomy. The coming weeks and likely court challenges will determine how the law is interpreted and implemented.
Original Source: https://www.sentinelassam.com/breakingnews/assam-passes-uniform-civil-code-bill-becomes-first-northeastern-state-and-third-in-india-to-enact-ucc
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Publish Date: 2026-05-27 16:04:00
