Assam on Wednesday became the third BJP-ruled state after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to pass the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, despite opposition parties demanding that it be sent to a select committee for further review.

CM Sarma Defends UCC Bill

According to news agency ANI reports, the bill was passed after a heated debate in the Assembly, where Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the UCC, saying it was not just a BJP agenda but also an idea once supported by the Congress. Referring to Constituent Assembly discussions, Sarma said the concept had existed long before becoming politically controversial.

During the debate, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed staged a walkout while objecting to some provisions of the bill. Although he supported measures aimed at tackling child marriage and polygamy.

Speaking to reporters after the passage of the bill, Sarma expressed happiness over the development and described it as a historic step for the state. He said, "Today I am very happy to inform you that the Assam assembly has adopted the Uniform Civil Code 2026. Assam will be the third state, after Uttarakhand and Gujarat, to adopt the Uniform Civil Code."

Sarma added, "The adoption of the Uniform Civil Code was one of our commitments in our election manifesto. We are delighted that in the first session of the Assam assembly, immediately after the election, we could adopt this historic bill...Now this bill will go for the assent, Rashtrapati Ji."

Leaders Hail Passage Of UCC Bill In Assam

Meanwhile, NDA leaders expressed happiness as the bill was passed in the assembly. BJP MLA Diganta Kalita praised the government for fulfilling a key election promise and described the move as historic. “Our Chief Minister, Mr Himanta Biswa Sarma, stated previously that if we were to return to power, the implementation of the UCC would be our top priority. Today marks a truly significant indeed, a momentous occasion for us. This day will go down in the history of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly,” Kalita told ANI.

ALSO READ: AIADMK's Rebel MLAs Reunite With EPS Days After Support To TVK, Shanmugam's Stand Unclear

Assam Transport and Bodoland Welfare Minister Charan Boro attempted to ease concerns over the impact of the UCC Bill, especially among the state’s diverse indigenous communities. He said, “There is really no cause for undue concern regarding the UCC. Because we are a tribal people, and tribal communities are completely exempt from the UCC, whatever matters currently govern us will remain intact. It seems there is no subject here that warrants any such apprehension or alarm.”

Assam Becomes Third State To Clear UCC

After Uttarakhand and Gujarat, the Assam government had introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the state Assembly on Monday, proposing a ban on polygamy and making registration of live-in relationships compulsory.

ALSO READ: CPI-M Workers Clash With ED Officials, Break Car's Windshield Outside Pinarayi Vijayan’s House During Searches | Video


Also In News