Assam Assembly Enacts Uniform Civil Code, Banning Polygamy and Mandating Live-in Relationship Registrations

The Assam Assembly made significant legislative strides on Wednesday by passing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill, which aims to ban polygamy and enforce compulsory registration of live-in relationships. This move positions Assam as the third Indian state, following Uttarakhand and Gujarat, to adopt such a code since the country gained independence.

The Uniform Civil Code is designed to provide a standardized set of laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, and inheritance for all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliations. Currently, individuals’ personal affairs are regulated by community-specific laws rooted in religious texts, leading to disparities and inconsistencies in legal practices across different communities.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while addressing the assembly, emphasized that the bill would not affect the tribal communities of Assam. He reassured citizens via social media that the UCC would respect the religious and traditional practices of indigenous populations. Sarma stated, “This code does not interfere with the religious practices of any community or traditional practices of our indigenous people.”​

The UCC is crafted to supersede personal laws, aiming to foster national integration by eliminating conflicting legal loyalties that stem from varied ideological beliefs. Sarma articulated that the implementation of the UCC will streamline legal processes and promote equality amongst citizens.

The bill, first introduced in the assembly on Monday, garnered swift consideration and was passed just two days later, following its approval from the state Cabinet on May 13. Despite the ruling party’s support, the opposition voiced concerns regarding the lack of thorough scrutiny, suggesting that the bill should be sent to a select committee for further examination. Nevertheless, the majority in the assembly prevailed, marking a historic moment for Assam’s legislative framework.

Source: scroll.in