Implementation of UCC in Assam: Muslim organizations seek consultation with Govt

Image for illustration purposes only. | Photo credit: PTI

Muslim religious and social organizations have urged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government of Assam to consider their views before implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the UCC Bill would be tabled in the 126-member House on May 26, the final day of the special session of the Assembly that began on May 21. The purpose of the UCC is to enforce a single, uniform set of personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens regardless of faith.

Leaders of at least 10 organizations met in Guwahati on Saturday (May 23, 2026) and decided to submit a memorandum to the government seeking consultations before introducing the proposed legislation.

The organizations included two factions of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Jamaat-e-Islami, Ahle Sunnat, Muslim Personal Law Council, Nadwatul Tamir, Milli Council and All Assam Minority Students’ Union.

Nadwatul Tamir Organizing Secretary Maulana Farid Uddin Choudhury, who presided over the meeting, said that the state government should not ignore the stakeholders from the minority community before taking such a major decision.

“This matter is directly related to Islamic religious practices and personal laws, which requires wider consultation with minority religious and social organizations before any legislative action,” said Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury, senior advocate and president of Assam Civil Society.

The introduction of UCC was one of the BJP’s promises for the April 9 assembly elections. Soon after being sworn in as Chief Minister for a second consecutive term, Mr. Sarma said his government would introduce a law in this regard.

He, however, said that tribals and communities under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution would be exempted from the purview of the UCC to protect their customs and traditions.

Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, who read out the new government’s five-year vision in the 126-member House on May 22, said the UCC will enhance social harmony, justice, gender equality and a modern progressive society.

Published – 24 May 2026 21:01 IST