AIMIM chief says law undermines Muslim personal rights and practices.
Asaduddin Owaisi, chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Hyderabad MP, has strongly criticised the recently passed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) legislation in Assam, alleging that the state government is imposing Hindu personal laws on Muslims and interfering with religious practices protected under the Constitution.
His remarks came days after the Assam Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code, Assam, 2026 Bill following an extensive and often heated debate between the ruling BJP-led NDA government and opposition parties. The legislation seeks to introduce a common civil legal framework governing matters such as marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships, regardless of an individual’s religion.
Owaisi questioned several provisions of the new law and argued that the legislation disregards and weakens the distinct personal laws followed by different religious communities in the country.
“They implemented the UCC 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,” Owaisi said while criticising the selective application of the law.
The AIMIM president particularly took exception to provisions relating to marriage, claiming that the code effectively enforces rules rooted in Hindu customs upon Muslims. Referring to restrictions on marriage between individuals falling within certain degrees of relationship, he argued that Islamic personal law permits some marriages that are not allowed under Hindu traditions.
“In Hinduism, there is a list of prohibited relationships with whom you cannot marry. But among Muslims, marriages take place with certain relatives. Who are you to stop us? Why are you enforcing that religious law on us?” he asked, questioning the rationale behind introducing uniform marriage regulations. Owaisi also expressed serious concerns over the provisions dealing with divorce and inheritance, contending that they amount to an infringement on the freedom of religion guaranteed under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution. Criticising the divorce-related clauses in the legislation, he argued that the UCC undermines established Islamic divorce practices by making a six-month separation period mandatory before the dissolution of a marriage. According to him, such provisions interfere with religious customs and personal laws.
“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 six-month separation period? Is there no Article 25 anymore?” he said, alleging that the government was encroaching upon constitutionally protected religious rights. The Hyderabad MP further raised objections to the provisions concerning wills and succession. He pointed out that under Islamic law, an individual can generally bequeath only up to one-third of their property through a will, while the remaining portion must pass on to legal heirs according to prescribed inheritance rules.
Owaisi argued that the UCC’s provision granting individuals unrestricted authority to distribute their entire property through a will runs contrary to Islamic principles. “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,” he said while opposing the inheritance-related provisions of the legislation. Notably, the Assam government has defended the legislation, stating that its objective is to promote legal uniformity, gender justice and equal rights for all citizens. However, opposition parties, minority organisations and several community groups have voiced concerns that the law could adversely affect religious freedoms and undermine long-standing personal law traditions followed by different faith communities.
With the passage of the legislation, Assam has become the first state in the Northeast and the third BJP-ruled state in the country to adopt a Uniform Civil Code after Uttarakhand and Gujarat. Goa, however, has long operated under a common civil law system that traces its origins to the Portuguese colonial era. The legislation seeks to establish a single civil legal framework for all residents of the state in matters relating to marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships, irrespective of their religious affiliation.
Among its key provisions, the bill prohibits polygamy and prescribes a uniform legal marriage age of 21 years for men and 18 years for women.
The new law also makes the registration of marriages compulsory within 60 days of the ceremony and requires live-in relationships to be registered within 30 days. It further stipulates penalties for non-compliance, with individuals failing to register a marriage or divorce within the prescribed 60-day period liable to face a fine of Rs 10,000.
