Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Thursday the intention to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state, with plans to introduce a bill in the assembly later this year. Sarma specified that the UCC would initially be implemented by the governments of Uttarakhand and Gujarat, with Assam following suit, incorporating new elements to create an “Assam model.” He assured that the tribal community in Assam would be exempted from the UCC.
Sarma explained that he is anticipating the UCC bill from Uttarakhand, and once available, Assam will introduce a similar legislation. However, he emphasized the incorporation of innovative aspects, particularly addressing issues such as child marriages and polygamy. Notably, the tribal community in Assam will be excluded from the UCC provisions.
The Chief Minister expressed his commitment to the implementation of the UCC, outlining that public consultations on the bill could occur within the next two to three months. Following this, the bill is expected to be introduced in the Assam assembly. Sarma acknowledged that the timeline would be contingent on the developments in Uttarakhand and Gujarat, but he affirmed Assam’s determination to be the third state to implement the UCC.
A Uniform Civil Code is conceptualized as a unified set of laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, and succession, applicable to all citizens irrespective of their religious affiliations. It seeks to replace the existing diverse personal laws that vary based on religious practices.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously expressed strong support for the Uniform Civil Code, hinting at its prioritization by the Union government ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The move aligns with the broader objective of creating a common legal framework for personal matters across diverse religious communities in India.