BJP scores major ideological win as Assam passes UCC Bill

The Assam Legislative Assembly today passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, by voice vote, making Assam the third state in India after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to adopt such a law.

- NIBIR DEKA

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the development as a “watershed moment” and said the BJP government had fulfilled an important electoral promise in the first session of the newly elected Assembly.

The Bill proposes a common legal framework covering marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession, adoption and live-in relationships. It also bans polygamy and makes the registration of marriages, divorces and live-in relationships mandatory, including in cases where one partner is a resident of Assam. The legislation also includes provisions against coercion or deception in relationships, which the government said are aimed at curbing “love jihad”.

The law provides equal succession rights for sons and daughters and includes provisions for the protection of elderly parents.

Speaking in the Assembly and later to the media, Sarma said the legislation would strengthen gender justice in the state. “Passing of this law in Assam will be a big step towards gender justice,” he said.

The Chief Minister defended the exclusion of Scheduled Tribes (STs) from the law. ST communities account for around 12.45 per cent of Assam’s population. Sarma said tribal customary laws already protect women’s rights and discourage polygamy.