BJP-ruled Gujarat passes controversial Uniform Civil Code Bill
Muslim leaders condemn bill as an attack on religious identity
Gandhinagar: The BJP-ruled Gujarat State Assembly has passed the controversial Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, which seeks to establish a common legal framework governing marriage, divorce, and inheritance irrespective of religious affiliation. The bill has sparked strong opposition, with Muslims viewing it as an attack on their religious identity and an infringement on their personal laws.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the bill, formally titled the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026, will apply across the state and extend to residents of Gujarat living outside its territorial limits. However, it excludes members of Scheduled Tribes (ST) and certain groups whose customary rights are protected under the Indian Constitution.
The legislation was passed with a majority vote, despite the opposition from the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), both of whom demanded the bill be referred to a select committee of the Assembly for further scrutiny. The ruling BJP welcomed the passage of the bill.
With this development, Gujarat becomes the second Indian state after Uttarakhand to pass a UCC law. Uttarakhand had earlier passed a similar legislation in February 2024.
The Opposition strongly criticized the move. Senior Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar said, “You brought this bill in a haste in view of the upcoming assembly election in 2027. We demand that it should be sent to assembly’s select committee.” Another Congress leader, Amit Chavda, said that the bill violates constitutional guarantees. Congress MLA Imran Khedawala also opposed the legislation, stating, “I am speaking on behalf of my community and I oppose this bill because it seeks to disturb our Shariyat and Quran. For Muslims, matters related to Nikah and inheritance are not just rules, but Allah’s order and we are bound to follow it. We will stage protests and also approach court against this bill.” Calling the legislation “anti-Muslim,” he said that it was introduced despite there being no such demand from the community.
Critics of the UCC, particularly within the Muslim community, argue that the bill is inherently anti-Islamic, as it directly challenges the religious principles and practices that govern personal matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance under Islamic law. The introduction of the UCC effectively undermines the autonomy of religious communities, particularly Muslims, in matters related to family law. For Muslims, this move is an unwarranted interference in their fundamental rights and religious freedoms, raising concerns over the growing trend of religious homogenization under the guise of legal reform.
