Gujarat assembly passes UCC Bill; live-in relationship registration made mandatory
Gandhinagar (PTI): After a marathon debate of more than seven hours, the Gujarat assembly on Tuesday passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill that seeks to put in place a common legal framework to govern marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships irrespective of religion.
The bill stipulates 7 years of jail term if marriages are conducted through force, coercion, or fraud, and also prohibits bigamy/polygamy. It also makes registration of marriages and live-in relationships mandatory.
The ruling BJP hailed the bill, which exempts tribals, as a landmark reform to ensure equality, while the Congress vehemently opposed it saying it violates fundamental right and was "anti-Muslim".
The bill was passed with majority voice vote as opposition Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) did not approve it and demanded that it be sent to the state assembly's select committee.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who tabled the bill earlier in the day, a week after a state-appointed panel submitted its final report on implementation of the UCC, said there is punishment of up to 7 years of jail if marriages are conducted through force, coercion, or fraud, and also in cases of bigamy/polygamy.
With the passage of the bill, BJP-ruled Gujarat became the second state in the country after Uttarakhand to pass the UCC. Uttarakhand became the first state to pass a UCC Bill in February 2024.
Titled the 'Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026', the proposed law will extend to the entire state and also apply to residents of Gujarat living outside its territorial limits.
However, the bill document states that the code will not apply to members of Scheduled Tribes (ST) and certain groups whose customary rights are protected under the Constitution.
The bill aims to create a uniform legal framework, as per its "Objects and Reasons" statement.
While tabling the bill, CM Patel described it as a step towards a unified legal framework rooted in constitutional principles.
"A common legal framework is necessary for a united and undivided nation, and that reflects our Vedic knowledge. Our ancient verses also say that the truth is one, even if expressed in different ways; and if the truth is one, then even if religions are many, justice must be one," Patel said.
Referring to the Constitution of India, he added, "Under Article 14 of the Constitution, equality before the law has been ensured for every citizen of the country. And Article 44 of that same Constitution directs the state to move towards a Uniform Civil Code. Now, the implementation of the UCC will reject any policy or dispute involving division or discrimination among citizens based on their religion or caste."
The CM said the legislation would apply uniformly to all citizens, and reflects "the expectations, aspirations, and desires of the citizens of Gujarat for equal justice."
He emphasised that the bill introduces "a uniform legal framework" on issues like marriage, divorce, and inherited property, ensuring that no injustice is done to anyone", adding that it was drafted after "intensive discussions and deliberations" keeping in mind Gujarat's diversity.
Particularly, women's honour, equal rights, and security have been prioritised in this draft, he said.
Detailing provisions, Patel said, "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."
"If mandatory marriage registration is not done within 60 days, there is a fine of up to Rs 10,000. If marriages are conducted through force, coercion, or fraud, there is a punishment of up to 7 years of jail, and in cases of bigamy/polygamy, there is also a punishment of up to 7 years of jail," he said.
Talking about live-in relationships, he said, "Its registration is mandatory, and non-registration carries an imprisonment of up to 3 months or a fine of Rs 10,000. Live-in registration is not meant to snatch anyone's freedom, but for the legal protection of our daughters."
He also clarified that "absolutely no interference is being made in religious rituals".
This UCC law is solely to eliminate discrimination, not to erase cultures, he said, adding that Scheduled Tribes have been "completely exempted".
Supporting the bill, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi cited global and domestic examples to justify the move.
Taking a swipe at the Congress, he said, "I am not surprised at all by this response of Congress. when Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar brought a law to give equal rights to women, the Congress government also made the same excuse that 'the time is not ripe''¦ fed up with the same anti-women mentality, Babasaheb had to resign."
Senior Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar said, "You brought this bill in a haste in view of the upcoming assembly election in 2027. We demand that it should be sent to assembly's select committee."
Another senior Congress MLA Amit Chavda alleged that the bill violates constitutional guarantees.
Congress MLA Imran Khedawala strongly objected, saying, "I am speaking on behalf of my community and I oppose this bill because it seeks to disturb our shariyat and Quran. For Muslims, matters related to nikah and inheritance are not just rules, but Allah's order and we are bound to follow it. We will stage protests and also approach court against this bill."
Calling the legislation "anti-Muslim", he alleged it was brought despite no such demand from the community.
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EC role, Hindu vote consolidation among factors for BJP win in Bengal polls: J-K CM Omar
Srinagar (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday attributed the BJP's West Bengal win to a "significant role" played by the Election Commission (EC), alongside a consolidation of Hindu votes and a fractured minority mandate.
Abdullah also said the INDIA bloc needs to define its role in the political landscape of the country and make it clear whether the opposition alliance was limited to the parliamentary elections or extended to the state elections as well.
Talking to PTI Videos, Abdullah hinted that the EC has compromised its neutrality by conducting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal and linked it to the BJP's gains in the state, claiming large-scale deletion of legitimate voters.
On the performance of the BJP in the just concluded assembly elections, Abdullah said the saffron party has almost nothing to show in southern states.
"So then you look at West Bengal and Assam. Yes, the BJP improved its tally in Assam. There are various reasons for that. You know as well as I do, what those are. West Bengal, I think we need to look at the results very carefully," he said.
"The easiest explanation for the West Bengal result is the serious curtailing of voter list," Abdullah said.
"Voters found their names deleted. People who served in uniform and fought for this country on the borders, who were considered Indian citizens all their lives, were suddenly held to a higher standard and not allowed to vote. Something is not right," he said.
While alleging that the EC played a "significant part" in the results, the chief minister admitted the outcome was multifaceted and noted a consolidation of over 60 per cent of the Hindu vote towards the BJP and a "significant fracture" in the minority vote, particularly in seats where Muslims constitute over 50 per cent of the population.
"There is no doubt that the role of the Election Commission played a significant part in the results but we will also have to look at the other factors," he said.
He said the results of West Bengal cannot be compared to those in other states. "The situation was unique to West Bengal. The SIR that was done, the way in which the voter lists were changed, the sort of minute scrutiny that the Election Commission subjected West Bengal to, the role of the central investigative agencies.
"All of these are situations that at least in recent electoral history of India are unique to West Bengal. So to suggest that we can learn lessons from West Bengal and implement them in other parts of the country, I think would not be correct," he said.
Abdullah had recently said that if the West Bengal results throw a surprise, the role of EC will come under scrutiny.
However, during Tuesday's interview, the chief minister said he still maintains that electronic voting machines (EVMs) do not lead to vote theft.
"What we saw in West Bengal...I know there are a lot of people who believe that the EVMs themselves are flawed. I am not a proponent of that conspiracy theory.
"But I do believe that the Election Commission has done itself no favours in the way in which it has gone about both the process of delimitation and the process of finalisation of electoral rolls," he said and cited the example of delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir or Assam.
"These are clear examples of how the process was done to benefit one party or in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, one party and its allies. And the results speak for themselves. You created seven new seats in Jammu and Kashmir and out of those six seats were won by the BJP. You redrew assembly constituencies to benefit one particular party or its allies. And the same is true for West Bengal as well," he said.
Referring to the INIDA bloc, he said the election results were no new message for the alliance.
"We need to decide what the INDIA bloc is for. Is it only for Parliament or for state elections as well?" he asked.
"What happened in West Bengal is unfortunate. The Congress and TMC fought against each other. Now the Congress agrees with Mamata Banerjee that 100 seats were stolen, but the fact is they fought each other," he said.
Despite the friction, Abdullah reaffirmed the "pre-eminent position" of the Congress within the opposition alliance, dismissing the idea of any other party assuming the mantle.
"The Congress is the only party other than the BJP with a pan-India presence. All of us acknowledge this," he stated.
"To suggest someone else can assume a leadership role would be incorrect. Kharge Sahib is the president of the Congress, and by virtue of that, he assumes leadership of the INDIA bloc meetings. That is the way it should be," the chief minister said.
Abdullah said any 'Common Minimum Programme' would depend on whether the opposition alliance decides to fight state assembly elections collectively, noting that he would share his specific views with the bloc internally rather than through the media.
