Guwahati: The Assam Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill on May 27, moving the legislation forward through a voice vote despite vocal resistance from opposition members. Congress Legislature Party leader Wazed Ali Choudhury stated that his party firmly opposed the measure and submitted several amendments during the debate. The Congress had specifically requested that the bill be sent to a select committee for more thorough scrutiny and public consultation before any final vote.
Choudhury argued that certain portions of the proposed code conflict with existing Muslim personal laws. Despite these objections and repeated calls for a committee review, the government utilized its majority in the Assembly to secure the bill's passage.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the legislation during the session, asserting that the bill aligns with Article 44 of the Indian Constitution. He dismissed claims that the move was driven by specific party ideologies. Sarma further challenged the opposition by noting that the Congress party historically supported the concept of a uniform code decades ago, accusing them of abandoning those initial principles.
The state government maintains that the legislation is designed to standardize personal laws across the region while advancing gender justice. The session concluded with the bill passing amid persistent protests from those who feel the proposal requires additional examination.
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