Madhya Pradesh Assembly Passes Uniform Civil Code Amid Opposition Protests
In a significant legislative move, the Madhya Pradesh Assembly has passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill despite opposition protests. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav praised the decision as a historic moment for the state's residents, emphasizing its role in promoting equality and justice. The bill aims to criminalize practices like triple talaq and impose regulations on polygamy, ensuring that all communities adhere to monogamy. This development reflects a commitment to constitutional ideals and seeks to empower women while addressing societal issues. The passage of the UCC bill marks a pivotal moment in Madhya Pradesh's legislative history, raising questions about the opposition's stance and the implications for communal harmony.
Jul 21, 2026, 17:13 IST
Legislative Approval of the UCC Bill
The Madhya Pradesh Assembly has successfully passed the 'Uniform Civil Code' (UCC) bill through a voice vote, despite opposition from the Congress party. Opposition legislators had requested that the bill be sent to a select committee for further discussion; however, it was approved following a proposal by Gautam Tetwal, the Minister of Technical Education and Skill Development. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav hailed the day as a significant milestone, criticizing the Congress party's misguided views. He stated to the media that the passage of the UCC bill marks a truly golden day for the 85 million residents of Madhya Pradesh.
Significance of the UCC Bill
The implementation of this law in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly reflects a genuine commitment to the vision of 'one nation, one constitution, one flag, one leader,' as advocated by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee. This initiative aims to liberate women from the challenges posed by polygamy and ensure government support for their rights. Yadav expressed his congratulations to the entire state and questioned the Congress party's motives, asking why they consistently seek to create divisions between Hindus and Muslims. He attributed the partition of the country during independence to the Congress party's flawed thinking.
Details of the Bill
What Does the Bill Entail?
The UCC bill criminalizes practices such as 'triple talaq' and 'nikah halala,' imposes restrictions on polygamy, and mandates couples in live-in relationships to register their union within a month, with penalties of up to three months in jail for non-compliance. It also includes a monogamy rule applicable to all communities, prohibiting individuals from having more than one living spouse at a time. Additionally, marriages and divorces in urban areas will need to be registered through the MP e-Municipality portal, while in rural areas, the registration will be handled by the SDM via municipalities or panchayats. The bill categorizes nikah halala as a punishable offense. The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved the draft of the UCC on Sunday, which was to be presented in the state assembly on Monday. After Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar indicated that discussions would take place the following day, the bill was reintroduced on Tuesday. The draft was prepared by the Justice Ranjana Desai (Retd.) Committee and submitted to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav last week. Yadav described the UCC as a significant reform, emphasizing that it represents a major step towards promoting constitutional ideals of equality, justice, fairness, and secularism.