Uniform Civil Code in Assam Keeps ST Women Out, Mandates Registration of Live-In Relationships
New Delhi: The Assam assembly today, May 27, passed a Bill to adopt the controversial Uniform Civil Code amidst sharp resistance from opposition parties.
The Assam government had tabled the UCC Bill earlier this week. Although on paper the law seeks to ban polygamy, it is widely understood to be communal in nature. In Assam, it will also make the registration of live-in relationships compulsory.
"This is the most secular, uniform and progressive law which will especially benefit Assam's #NariShakti by protecting them from polygamy and Love Jihad, making these punishable offences and also ensuring women have full rights in case of inheritance, divorce and desertion," Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X, after the Bill was passed.
"Love jihad" is a bogey peddled by Hindutva politics that claims Muslim men are attempting to convert Hindu women through marriage.
The Bill will not be applicable to persons belonging to the Scheduled Tribes residing in Assam, raising questions as to why protections offered under it to women will not extend to Scheduled Tribe women.
At the assembly and on X, the Assam CM attempted to justify the move by noting, "Our tribal communities have long protected and upheld the dignity of women through strong customary systems and collective social responsibility. There's a lot to learn from them."
Opposition against the Bill
Congress legislature party leader Wazed Ali Choudhury, said, as reported by Hindustan Times, that the UCC would infringe on personal liberties, create social and religious tensions in a diverse country such as India.
Congress MLAs also questioned the move behind keeping Scheduled Tribe women out. Congress MLA Jakir Hussain Sikdar further said that there had been no adequate consultations before its tabling.
"This legislation was tabled in the House without wide consultations with political parties, social groups, religious bodies, organisations and the public," asked Sikdar.
"We already have laws in Assam banning polygamy, child marriages and mandatory registration of marriages and divorces. Why do we need UCC after all that?," he added, according to HT.
The report also noted All India United Democratic Front MLA Mazibur Rahman and Trinamool Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed's reservations against the bill.
Akhil Gogoi of Raijor Dal highlighted how the bill is going to pave the way for harassment.
“The Bill aims to put private relations under bureaucratic control by mandating registration of live-in relationships and issues related to it by appointing a sub-registrar who in turn will inform the local police station about such relationships,” he said.
MLAs for the Bill
MLAs representing the ruling National Democratic Alliance in the Assam assembly said the Bill seeks to protect women’s rights and is not against any religion or religious practice, PTI reports.
They, along with Sarma on X, said the proposed legislation was a historic move.
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