The Assam Legislative Assembly passed a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill following a series of sessions held in May and June [4], [5].
This legislation seeks to replace fragmented personal laws based on religion or custom with a single set of laws for all citizens. The move positions Assam as one of the few Indian states to implement such a framework, following Uttarakhand and Gujarat [5].
The legislative process began shortly after Himanta Biswa Sarma (BJP) took the oath as chief minister for a second term on May 12 [2]. Sarma later took his oath as a member of the Assam Legislative Assembly for a sixth term on May 21 [3]. On May 20, the administration announced its intent to pass the UCC legislation during the first assembly session [1].
The bill was formally tabled in the assembly on May 25 [6]. It includes provisions that ban polygamy and require the registration of live-in relationships [6]. These rules aim to standardize marriage, and divorce procedures across the state [4].
While some reports indicated the bill was only tabled [5], other records state it was passed via a voice vote in late May or early June [4]. The proceedings were marked by routine political debate between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress parties.
The legislation focuses on legal uniformity and the regulation of domestic partnerships. By mandating the registration of live-in relationships, the state intends to create a legal record of such unions [6].
“Assam may become the third state after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to implement a UCC.”
The passage of the UCC in Assam represents a significant shift toward legal secularism in personal matters, moving away from religious-based laws. By regulating live-in relationships and banning polygamy, the state is asserting a centralized legal authority over domestic and familial structures, which often triggers intense debate between traditional religious practices and modern statutory law.
