Gujarat Assembly Passes Uniform Civil Code Bill; Congress Calls It 'Anti-Muslim'
The Gujarat Assembly has passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, which aims to create a common legal framework governing marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships irrespective of religion.
The bill, titled the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026, will apply across the entire state and extend to the residents of Gujarat living outside its territorial limits. The bill excludes members of Scheduled Tribes (ST) and certain groups whose customary rights are protected under the Indian Constitution.
The legislation is passed with a majority vote, while the opposition parties, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have opposed it and demanded that it be referred to a select committee of the Assembly.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) welcomed the clearance of the bill, describing it as a step toward a unified legal framework.
The bill makes provisions for the mandatory registration of marriages, registration of live-in-relationships, uniform rules for divorce, equal inheritance rights for daughters and sons, and strict enforcement along with penalty provisions for non-compliance are the key provisions of this bill.
The marriages must be registered within 60 days and failure to comply would attract a penalty of up to Rs 10,000. In case of divorce, it must be registered after a court approval and would be invalid without one. Such invalid divorces may attract punishment up to 3 years and women are granted the right to remarry without conditions.
Registration of live-in relationships is also mandatory within 3 months or a fine of Rs 10,000 will be imposed.
Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, under the Directive Principles of State Policy, directs state to strive for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for all citizens across India.
