Guwahati, May 26, 2026: The Assam government’s move to introduce a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill has triggered sharp political reactions, with All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi terming it a “backdoor imposition” of Hindu personal law on the state’s Muslim community.
The bill, tabled in the Assam Assembly on May 25-26, 2026, under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s BJP-led government, seeks to bring uniformity in marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships across communities, with notable exemptions.
Key Provisions of the Assam UCC Bill
The proposed legislation includes several significant reforms:
- Ban on Polygamy: Declared a criminal offence punishable with up to seven years imprisonment, applicable to all religions.
- Minimum Marriage Age: Fixed at 21 years for men and 18 years for women.
- Mandatory Registration: All marriages, divorces (within 60 days), and live-in relationships (within 30 days) must be registered to safeguard legal rights, especially for women and children.
- Inheritance and Succession: Moves towards equal inheritance rights, drawing from principles similar to the reformed Hindu Succession Act, including equal shares for daughters.
- Standardised Divorce Processes: Aims to bring clarity and fairness in matrimonial disputes.
The bill fully exempts Scheduled Tribes (both hill and plain tribes), who constitute around 12.45% of Assam’s population, citing cultural protections under Article 29 of the Constitution.
The Assam government has positioned the bill as a major step towards gender justice, arguing it will help curb child marriages, teenage pregnancies, and protect vulnerable women and children from desertion.
Owaisi’s Strong Opposition
Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the bill, stating it is “not truly uniform” due to the exemption granted to tribal communities while imposing rules on Muslims, who form nearly 34% of Assam’s population.
He argued that provisions related to succession, inheritance, and divorce reflect Hindu legal principles and undermine Islamic personal law. Owaisi contended that the bill violates religious freedom guaranteed under Article 25 and accused the BJP government of targeting Muslim personal laws through the backdoor.
Several opposition parties, including the Congress, have also demanded wider consultations before the bill is passed.
Understanding the UCC Debate
Article 44 of the Indian Constitution directs the state to “endeavour to secure” a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens as a Directive Principle of State Policy. However, personal laws based on religion — Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Parsi — currently govern matters of marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
Muslim personal law permits polygamy (up to four wives under certain conditions) and follows Sharia principles in inheritance, where sons typically receive double the share of daughters, with limited scope for wills. In contrast, Hindu law was significantly reformed after independence, enforcing monogamy and granting daughters equal inheritance rights through amendments, notably in 2005.
Proponents of the UCC argue that a common civil code promotes national integration, gender equality, and ends discriminatory practices. Critics, including Owaisi, view such moves as majoritarian interference in minority religious and cultural rights.
Assam is following the path taken by Uttarakhand (which implemented a UCC in 2024 with tribal exemptions) and aligns with the long-standing BJP agenda for a nationwide Uniform Civil Code. Goa already operates with a common civil code from Portuguese times.
Broader Implications for Assam
Assam has a significant Muslim population in several districts and has seen ongoing debates around illegal immigration, demographic changes, and social practices such as child marriage and polygamy in certain communities. The government claims the bill addresses these social indicators.
However, the selective exemptions and rapid introduction of the bill have raised concerns about inadequate consultation, potential polarisation, and challenges to cultural autonomy, especially in the diverse Northeast region.
As the bill progresses in the Assembly, its final shape, implementation mechanism, and judicial scrutiny will be crucial in determining whether it achieves genuine uniformity or becomes another flashpoint in India’s ongoing debate over personal laws versus secular reforms.
The outcome could have significant repercussions not just for Assam but for the national discourse on balancing equality with religious freedom.
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