President gives assent to uniform civil codes in Gujarat and Assam

President Droupadi Murmu has granted her assent to uniform civil code (UCC) bills passed by the legislatures of Gujarat and Assam, marking a significant expansion of the contentious legal framework across Indian states. The presidential approval follows Uttarakhand's implementation of similar legislation, making it the first state to adopt a comprehensive UCC in recent years.

Both the Gujarat and Assam bills contain similar core provisions aimed at standardising personal laws across communities. The legislation mandates compulsory registration of marriages, introduces provisions prohibiting polygamy and bigamy, and grants equal property succession rights to sons and daughters. These measures represent a departure from personal laws that govern different religious communities in India.

The uniform civil codes have been a long-standing policy objective for certain political factions in India, though they remain controversial. Proponents argue that UCC legislation promotes gender equality and provides a unified legal framework, while critics contend that such measures infringe on religious autonomy and minority rights. The successive implementation across multiple states indicates growing momentum behind the initiative.

With Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam now having enacted uniform civil codes, the legislative framework is expanding beyond individual state boundaries. The development comes as several other states continue deliberating on similar proposals, potentially reshaping the legal landscape governing personal matters including marriage, inheritance, and succession across the country.