Assam Tables Uniform Civil Code Bill in Assembly
Himanta Biswa Sarma government moves UCC bill amid opposition protest in House
- Assam government tables Uniform Civil Code bill in Assembly
- Opposition MLAs protest during introduction of legislation
- Proposed law covers marriage age, polygamy and inheritance rights
- Tribal communities to remain exempt from provisions of UCC
GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 25th May: The Assam government on Monday tabled the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the state assembly, marking a major political and legislative development under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The bill was introduced in the Assembly by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora on behalf of the Chief Minister amid protests by opposition legislators, who urged the Speaker not to permit the tabling of the legislation.
The Assam Cabinet had approved the draft UCC Bill last week ahead of the first session of the newly elected Assam Legislative Assembly.
Sources said discussion on the bill is expected to take place on Tuesday after the Assembly session was extended by one day till May 27.
According to the state government, the proposed Uniform Civil Code in Assam would focus on fixing a uniform minimum age for marriage, abolishing polygamy, ensuring inheritance rights for women and regulating live-in relationships.
The bill also proposes compulsory registration of marriages and divorces.
The government has maintained that the objective of the UCC is to establish a common set of personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption for all citizens irrespective of religion.
Government sources said the legislation seeks to address issues linked to legal marriage age, polygamy, inheritance and live-in relationships through a uniform legal framework.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier clarified that tribal communities residing in both hill and plain regions of Assam would remain exempt from the provisions of the proposed law.
Assam is set to become the third state after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to table and potentially pass a Uniform Civil Code Bill.
The Uniform Civil Code has long remained a major political and constitutional issue in India.
While Articles 25 to 28 of the Constitution guarantee freedom of religion and allow communities to manage their own religious affairs, Article 44 directs the state to work towards securing a uniform civil code for all citizens.
Currently, personal laws related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and maintenance differ across religious communities in India.
