Assam Government Introduces Uniform Civil Code Bill Amid Opposition

Introduction of the Uniform Civil Code Bill

Guwahati, May 25: On Monday, the Assam government presented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill during the third day of the Assembly session. This legislation aims to ban polygamy, regulate marriage and succession laws, and mandate the registration of live-in relationships.

The bill was introduced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, marking a significant legislative initiative from the BJP-led administration in its current term.

As outlined in the Bill's “Statement of Objects and Reasons,” the legislation seeks to streamline and clarify laws related to marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in partnerships.

The proposed law sets the minimum marriage age at 21 for men and 18 for women, while also prohibiting polygamous unions.

“This Bill introduces a legal framework for live-in relationships for the first time. By enforcing registration, it guarantees the rights of partners and any children born from these relationships,” Sarma stated regarding the Bill.

Notably, the legislation will not be applicable to Scheduled Tribes residing in Assam.

However, the introduction of the Bill faced significant opposition in the Assembly, with parties such as the Indian National Congress, Raijor Dal, and All India Trinamool Congress expressing their discontent and calling for broader consultations with stakeholders before further consideration.

Opposition members insisted on a debate prior to the Bill's introduction, but Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass approved the proposal despite protests within the House.

Earlier this month, Chief Minister Sarma emphasized that the UCC is a crucial electoral promise of the government, asserting that the proposed law is tailored to the unique social context of Assam.

While drawing inspiration from UCC frameworks in states like Uttarakhand and Gujarat, the Chief Minister clarified that Assam's legislation would exclude tribal communities from its scope.

Following the introduction of the UCC Bill, the Assembly resumed discussions on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address.

During the discussions, Akhil Gogoi raised alarms about what he termed an “economic crisis” in the state, criticizing the Governor’s address for failing to address issues like inflation, soaring fuel prices, and the rising cost of living.

He urged the government to establish a task force to monitor price increases, combat black marketing, and create a dedicated state fund to mitigate the effects of inflation on citizens.

Independent MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed also called for enhancements to the Governor’s address, advocating for the hiring of teachers in lower primary schools, medical professionals in healthcare facilities, guaranteed service delivery in all Arogya Mandirs, and the availability of essential medicines in government health institutions.

“There was no mention of Brahmaputra erosion and the rehabilitation of affected families,” he remarked during the debate.

In defense of the Governor’s speech, BJP MLA from Dispur Atul Bora stated that the address outlined the government’s roadmap for the next five years.

“The Governor’s address provided insight into the future direction of the government and Assam’s development path. It also demonstrated a commitment to strengthening identity and safeguarding the culture and rights of the Khilonjiya people,” he asserted.

At the time of reporting, discussions on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address were still ongoing in the House.