The Madhya Pradesh state cabinet has cleared a draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill that bans polygamy, triple talaq, and nikah-halala [1, 2].
The move represents a significant shift toward a common set of laws governing personal matters for all citizens regardless of religion. By standardizing marriage and inheritance, the state aims to eliminate legal disparities rooted in different religious personal laws.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said, "This is a landmark decision that seeks to ensure equal rights, equal opportunities and equal justice" [1]. The draft bill, approved on July 19, 2024 [3], focuses on ensuring equal inheritance rights and prohibiting practices deemed discriminatory [1, 4].
A key component of the legislation involves the regulation of live-in relationships. A cabinet spokesperson said the draft bill prohibits polygamy and nikah-halala, and introduces strict regulations on live-in relationships [2]. Under the proposed rules, married persons entering into live-in relationships could face a maximum imprisonment of five years [5].
While the bill seeks a uniform application of law, there are conflicting reports regarding its scope. Some reports state the bill exempts Scheduled Tribes from its provisions [1], while other accounts suggest it applies uniformly to all citizens without such exemptions [4].
The draft will now be presented in the state assembly for further deliberation and approval. The government said the code is necessary to provide equal justice for all citizens within the state [1, 4].
“This is a landmark decision that seeks to ensure equal rights, equal opportunities and equal justice.”
The introduction of a state-level UCC in Madhya Pradesh mirrors a growing trend in India to move away from religion-specific personal laws. By criminalizing polygamy and regulating live-in relationships, the state is asserting legal authority over private social contracts, potentially sparking legal challenges regarding the right to privacy and the protection of tribal customary laws.
