The Gujarat Assembly on Tuesday passed the Uniform Civil Code Bill after a long debate that lasted over seven hours, making Gujarat the second state after Uttarakhand to have such a code.
The bill was tabled by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel a week ago and was later passed by majority voice vote. The move has, in the meantime, gained both political appreciation and criticism. The ruling BJP has called it a landmark reform that promotes equality and justice, while Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party have labeled it as “anti-Muslim.”
The bill makes it compulsory to register all marriages within 60 days, failing which a penalty of up to ₹10,000 may be imposed. It also brings live-in relationships under regulation, with non-compliance punishable by up to three months in jail or a fine of ₹10,000.
It prescribes up to seven years of imprisonment for marriages carried out through force, coercion, or fraud, and bans bigamy and polygamy with the same penalty. The provisions also ensure equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters, with a focus on safeguarding women’s rights.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “Since its inception, it has been the BJP’s commitment to implement a uniform law for every citizen in the country. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, BJP-led state governments have been steadily moving in this direction. I am pleased that after Uttarakhand, Gujarat has now taken the historic step of introducing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill. I extend my congratulations to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and all the legislators who supported this bill.”
Chief Minister Bhupendra 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.”
BJP MP Shashak Mani Tripathi said, “…If Gujarat has done this work, I welcome it, and I believe other states should also adopt it” while speaking to IANS.
Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi said, “… The Gujarat Assembly is set to present the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, aimed at protecting the rights and interests of women. This historic legislation seeks to ensure equal rights and security, ending long‑standing inequalities based on religion and caste. The bill is seen as a landmark step towards justice and empowerment for women in the state. It reflects the vision of “One Nation, One Law” and marks a new chapter in Gujarat’s progress.”
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 the assembly’s select committee.”
Congress MLA Imran Khedawala said, “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 them. We will stage protests and also approach court against this bill.”
