Sherman Ali Ahmed, the lone Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA from Assam, opposed sections of the state's Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill during its passage.
The dispute highlights the tension between standardized civil laws and religious personal laws in India. While the bill aims to create a single law for all citizens, critics argue it infringes upon fundamental rights and minority protections.
Ahmed staged a walkout of the Assam Assembly in Guwahati as the legislative body passed the UCC Bill on May 27, 2024 [1]. He said the legislation was a BJP-led initiative targeting the Muslim community and an attack on fundamental rights [2].
Despite the walkout, the TMC maintains a nuanced position on the specific provisions of the bill. The party supports measures intended to protect vulnerable groups, including the ban on child marriage, and the ban on polygamy [2]. The TMC also backs the requirement for the mandatory registration of live-in relationships [2].
However, Ahmed and his party oppose other sections of the bill that they view as a direct attack on Muslim personal law [2]. The party said that while certain social protections are necessary, the bill's broader scope threatens the legal autonomy of the community.
The Assam Assembly officially passed the bill on May 27, 2024 [1], marking a significant step in the state's effort to implement a uniform legal framework for marriage, divorce, and inheritance across all religions.
“TMC backs parts of the bill such as bans on child marriage and polygamy.”
The TMC's split stance reflects a broader political challenge in India: balancing the drive for gender-neutral civil rights—such as banning polygamy—with the constitutional protection of religious personal laws. By supporting specific protections for women and children while opposing the overall bill, the party attempts to maintain a progressive image without alienating its minority voter base.
