GUWAHATI: The Assam government on Monday, May 25, tabled the Uniform Civil Code, Assam, 2026 Bill in the state assembly, seeking to ban polygamy and make registration of live-in relationships mandatory. The introduction drew immediate protests from opposition members who called for broader stakeholder consultation.
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Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora moved the Bill on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The Bill seeks to consolidate and simplify laws related to marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships,” as per its Statement of Object and Reasons.
Key provisions include setting the minimum marriage age at 21 for men and 18 for women, and a complete prohibition on polygamy.
The proposed law also introduces a legal framework for live-in relationships for the first time. “By requiring registration, the law ensures that the rights of partners and any children born from such unions are formally recognised and protected,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated in the Bill.
However, the bill will not be applicable to any of the Scheduled Tribes residing in Assam.
Members of the Indian National Congress, Raijor Dal and All India Trinamool Congress objected to the Bill’s introduction and urged the government to hold wider consultations before proceeding with debate.