📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Prime Minister's Office
Politics
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Calls for Nationwide Uniform Civil Code, Says Muslim Women Bear Brunt
✍️ India Today
🗓 19 Oct 2026, 01:37 PM
👁 10
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterated his demand for a Uniform Civil Code across India, arguing that Muslim women are the most affected by the current personal laws.
Assam's chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, used a recent public forum to renew his call for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to be implemented nationwide. He argued that the existing personal law framework disproportionately disadvantages Muslim women, limiting their rights in matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
Sarma emphasized that a single, secular legal code would ensure equal protection for all citizens, irrespective of religion, and would address gender-based inequities embedded in community-specific statutes. He cited examples of legal ambiguities that often leave Muslim women without clear recourse in family disputes.
The statement comes amid growing political debate over the UCC, with opposition parties warning that it could infringe on religious freedoms. Nevertheless, Sarma maintained that the Constitution's directive principle of equality mandates a uniform legal structure, and he urged the central government to prioritize the issue in upcoming legislative sessions.
While no immediate legislative proposal was announced, Sarma pledged to coordinate with like‑minded leaders from other states to build a consensus. He concluded by urging civil society and women's groups to support the reform, asserting that it would ultimately empower the most vulnerable sections of society.
The push for a UCC remains a contentious topic in Indian politics, balancing constitutional ideals of equality against concerns over cultural autonomy. Sarma's latest remarks add momentum to the ongoing national conversation about legal uniformity and gender justice.
Sarma emphasized that a single, secular legal code would ensure equal protection for all citizens, irrespective of religion, and would address gender-based inequities embedded in community-specific statutes. He cited examples of legal ambiguities that often leave Muslim women without clear recourse in family disputes.
The statement comes amid growing political debate over the UCC, with opposition parties warning that it could infringe on religious freedoms. Nevertheless, Sarma maintained that the Constitution's directive principle of equality mandates a uniform legal structure, and he urged the central government to prioritize the issue in upcoming legislative sessions.
While no immediate legislative proposal was announced, Sarma pledged to coordinate with like‑minded leaders from other states to build a consensus. He concluded by urging civil society and women's groups to support the reform, asserting that it would ultimately empower the most vulnerable sections of society.
The push for a UCC remains a contentious topic in Indian politics, balancing constitutional ideals of equality against concerns over cultural autonomy. Sarma's latest remarks add momentum to the ongoing national conversation about legal uniformity and gender justice.