The Assam Assembly on Wednesday passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, paving the way for a common legal framework on marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships across communities in the state. With this, Assam became the third state after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to clear a UCC legislation, while Goa continues to follow a common civil law inherited from the Portuguese era.
The legislation, tabled in the Assembly on Monday by the Assam government, immediately triggered strong protests from the opposition, which accused the BJP of pushing a politically motivated agenda and demanded that the Bill be referred to a select committee for wider consultations with stakeholders.
Congress Legislature Party leader Wajed Ali Choudhury argued during the debate that several provisions proposed under the UCC were already covered by existing laws dealing with child marriage, marriage registration, divorce, alimony and polygamy. Congress MLA Tanzil Hussain also reiterated the party’s opposition, warning that Congress legislators would continue their protests inside the Assembly.
“We oppose this legislation, and during the session you will see our protest,” Hussain said, while Choudhury maintained that the Bill was unnecessary in its present form.
Raijor Dal president and MLA Akhil Gogoi criticised the proposed law as an intrusion into citizens’ private lives. According to Gogoi, the legislation would enable excessive state interference in personal relationships and increase bureaucratic surveillance over individuals.
Despite the opposition’s objections and noisy protests in the House, the Bill was passed on Wednesday.
A watershed moment in Assam’s history as we become the third Indian State to enact the UCC fulfilling the desire of the founding fathers of our nation.
It fulfils three important issues
âś…Article 44 of Constitution
âś… @BJP4India‘s Founding Ideals
✅ @BJP4Assam electoral promise pic.twitter.com/GvCzAW5qVD— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 27, 2026
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the legislation as a “landmark reform” and said it marked the beginning of the government’s five-year policy agenda. Defending the Bill during the Assembly debate, Sarma stressed that the protection of women’s dignity and rights should remain central to governance.
“Prices may rise and fall over time, but once a woman loses her dignity, it cannot be restored,” the Chief Minister said while advocating for the law.
The proposed legislation seeks to introduce a uniform legal structure for matters related to marriage, divorce, inheritance and live-in relationships, irrespective of religion. It also proposes a ban on polygamy and makes registration of live-in relationships mandatory.
The Bill contains punitive provisions as well, including imprisonment of up to seven years for offences related to bigamy or polygamy. It also provides for jail terms of up to three months for failure to register a live-in relationship.
At the same time, the legislation keeps Scheduled Tribes in Assam outside its ambit, with the government stating that traditional tribal customs and community laws would remain protected.
BJP MLA Sushanta Borgohain defended the legislation, saying it had been drafted keeping Assamese social realities in mind and was aimed at strengthening social security for vulnerable groups, including women affected by practices such as triple talaq.
Meanwhile, Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Das welcomed the introduction of the Bill and described the occasion as an important moment for the state, particularly for women belonging to minority communities. He said he would extend full cooperation in conducting discussions related to the legislation in the House.
