Amit Shah Promises Uniform Civil Code in Assam if BJP Wins Elections

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has declared that a Uniform Civil Code will be introduced in Assam if the BJP retains power in the upcoming Assembly elections. Speaking at a rally, he highlighted the code's aim to unify civil laws and ban polygamy. The elections are set for April 9, with results announced on May 4. Shah's statements reflect the BJP's long-standing agenda for a common personal law, which has seen progress in other states. The proposed legislation is viewed as a significant step towards social reform in Assam, amidst ongoing discussions about immigration and citizenship verification in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 30, 2026, 08:47 IST

BJP's Commitment to Uniform Civil Code

On Sunday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secures victory in the upcoming Assembly elections, a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in Assam. This statement was made during a campaign rally in Nalbari district.

Shah emphasized that the proposed UCC would include a ban on polygamy, aiming to standardize civil laws and promote social reforms within the state.

The elections are scheduled for April 9, with the counting of votes set for May 4.

The Uniform Civil Code seeks to establish a unified legal framework governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens, moving away from community-specific laws that currently exist.

The BJP has long advocated for a common personal law, with several states under its governance making strides toward its implementation.

Uttarakhand became the first state to enact the UCC post-independence in January 2025, while Gujarat's Assembly passed similar legislation on March 24, despite opposition protests. Goa has had a common civil code since the adoption of the Portuguese Civil Code in 1867.

In its push for the UCC in Uttarakhand, the BJP primarily focused on Muslim personal law, claiming it discriminates against women by permitting polygamy and offering unequal property rights.

Legal analysts have noted that Uttarakhand's UCC is largely based on Hindu personal law, which may marginalize the personal law practices of minority communities.

Additionally, the Assam Assembly passed the 2025 Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill in November, which imposes penalties of up to seven years for polygamy and up to ten years for concealing a previous marriage.

This legislation is seen as a significant step towards the UCC's implementation in Assam.

During the rally, Shah accused previous Congress administrations of allowing illegal immigration into Assam, asserting that the current BJP government has taken measures to secure the state's borders.

He claimed that 125,000 bighas of land previously occupied by infiltrators have been reclaimed, and that efforts will continue to identify and deport illegal immigrants.

Since April 2025, police in BJP-ruled states have been detaining Bengali-speaking individuals, predominantly Muslims, to verify their citizenship status.

Some individuals have been forcibly sent to Bangladesh after failing to prove their Indian citizenship, while others have been returned after their citizenship was confirmed.

In Assam, the chief minister has reiterated the government's commitment to creating an 'infiltration-free' state, claiming that 35 to 40 illegal immigrants are being repatriated weekly.