Owaisi slams Assam UCC, alleges imposition of Hindu laws on Muslims

AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi slammed Assam's new UCC, calling it an imposition of Hindu marriage laws on Muslims. He questioned tribal exemptions and said the bill's divorce and inheritance rules violate religious freedom under Article 25.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday slammed the adoption of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) legislation in Assam, alleging that the state government was imposing Hindu marriage laws on Muslims. Addressing an Eid Milap event here, Owaisi questioned the exemption given to tribal communities under the UCC, saying they account for around 12 per cent of Assam's population.

Owaisi on Marriage Laws and Tribal Exemption

Taking a dig at the provisions related to marriage, Owaisi said that while Hindu and Muslim personal laws differ, the UCC seeks to impose one set of rules. "They implemented the UCC (Uniform Civil Code) in Assam and exempted the tribal people there, who make up 12 per cent of the population. They exempted the tribals, but how can you justify this? You are imposing Hindu marriage customs on me. In Hinduism, there is a list of prohibited relationships with whom you cannot marry. But among Muslims, marriages take place with...Who are you to stop us? Why are you enforcing that religious law on us?" said Owaisi.

Criticism of Divorce and Inheritance Laws

The Hyderabad MP also criticised provisions related to divorce and inheritance, alleging that they interfere with religious practices protected under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution. He further objected to the provisions on wills, claiming that Islamic law permits only one-third of a person's property to be distributed through a will, whereas the UCC allows an individual to leave their entire property to anyone. "Regarding Islam, you said triple talaq is wrong and you abolished it. But now, you have essentially abolished the entire concept of divorce--why should there be a mandatory 6-month separation period? Is there no Article 25 (Freedom of Religion) anymore? What are you doing? Are you trying to detach these people from their religion? Furthermore, under the provision of a Will (testamentary succession), anyone can leave their entire property to whomever they want. But in Islam, you cannot give away more than one-third of your property through a Will; it must rightfully go to the legal heirs (children). Now, under the UCC, you have introduced full willing power. Tell me, what exactly do you want to achieve? This is simply not acceptable to us," said Owaisi.

About the Assam UCC Bill

The Assam Assembly on Wednesday passed a UCC Bill, 2026, after a marathon debate between the BJP-led NDA and the opposition parties. The bill seeks to establish a single civil legal framework to govern marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships irrespective of religion.

With this, Assam has become the first state in the Northeast and the third Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled state in the country to pass such legislation, after Uttarakhand and Gujarat. Though Goa also has common civil law since the Portuguese colonial rule.

The bill prohibits polygamy, while setting a standardised legal age of 21 years for grooms and 18 years for brides. It proposes mandatory registration of marriages and live-in relationships, while setting defined timelines and penalties for non-compliance.

The Uniform Civil Code, Assam, 2026 Bill proposes a single civil legal framework for all residents governing marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships, according to the state government.

As per the bill, marriages are required to be registered within 60 days of the ceremony, while live-in relationships must be registered within 30 days. Deliberate failure to register marriage or divorce within the stipulated 60-day period will attract a penalty of Rs 10,000, the statement said. (ANI)

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