Assam becomes third state to pass Uniform Civil Code Bill after Assembly approval

The Assam Assembly on Wednesday passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill after a day-long debate and amid protests from Opposition members demanding that the legislation be sent to a select committee for wider consultation. With the passage of the Bill, Assam became the third state after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to approve a Uniform Civil Code framework. The proposed law seeks to establish a common legal framework governing marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships irrespective of religion.

Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass rejected the Opposition’s demand to refer the Bill to a select committee. Opposition legislators then moved to the Well of the House and continued shouting slogans during the voting process. The Speaker later placed the Bill for voice vote, during which ruling party legislators raised slogans including “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Jai Shree Ram”. The Speaker subsequently announced that the Bill had been passed.

The Assam government had tabled the legislation earlier this week. The Bill seeks to ban polygamy and makes registration of marriages and live-in relationships compulsory. It also proposes punitive provisions, including imprisonment of up to seven years for bigamy or polygamy and up to three months in jail for failing to register a live-in relationship. The legislation states that it will not apply to Scheduled Tribe communities residing in Assam.

During the debate, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the legislation and stated that the concept of a Uniform Civil Code had historical roots in constitutional discussions. He argued that the law was intended to strengthen gender justice and governance. Sarma also stated that tribal communities had been exempted because they follow customary systems and practices protected under the Constitution.

Trinamool Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed raised objections to several provisions of the Bill and staged a walkout during the proceedings. He stated that while he supported provisions aimed at preventing child marriage and controlling polygamy, he believed some sections interfered with religious practices. He alleged that parts of the proposed legislation affected the fundamental right to practice religion.

The Uniform Civil Code Bill in Assam addresses issues related to marriage, divorce, inheritance and live-in relationships. The legislation also comes amid wider national debate over balancing uniform civil laws with constitutional protections for religious and customary practices. The Assam government maintained during the Assembly discussion that the law had been framed while keeping tribal customs and regional realities in consideration.