Photo Courtesy: nenews
Guwahati: The Assam government has formally introduced the Uniform Civil Code, Assam, 2026 Bill in the state Legislative Assembly. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora presented the legislation on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The move follows cabinet approval granted earlier this month and aims to establish a consistent legal framework for marriage, divorce, succession, and cohabitation.
Key provisions of the bill include a ban on polygamy and the establishment of a minimum marriage age of 21 for men and 18 for women. For the first time, the state has proposed a formal legal framework for live-in relationships, requiring couples to register their status. The government stated that this measure is intended to protect the rights of partners and children born from these unions.
The proposed law includes specific exemptions to protect existing traditions. Provisions will not apply to members of Scheduled Tribes in the state, and traditional religious customs and rituals are also excluded from the bill’s requirements. Officials maintain that the legislation is designed to simplify legal procedures and align with the vision of the nation's founders.
The introduction of the bill faced immediate pushback from opposition parties, including the Congress, the Raijor Dal, and the Trinamool Congress. Members of these groups called for broader public and stakeholder consultations before the assembly proceeds with further debate or a final vote. The bill is expected to be taken up for discussion on May 27.
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