AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday, 25 May launched a sharp attack on the Assam Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill tabled in the state Assembly, alleging the legislation was discriminatory and amounted to a “backdoor imposition of Hindu law on Muslims.” Owaisi, the Hyderabad MP and leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), posted his criticism directly on X, drawing immediate attention to the bill’s rollout in Guwahati.

Why Owaisi Calls It ‘Not Uniform’

The AIMIM chief’s central argument is one of selective application. He pointed out that tribal communities in Assam have been explicitly exempted from the UCC’s provisions, while Muslims and other non-tribal groups would be required to comply. “The Assam Uniform Civil Code is not uniform at all. It completely exempts tribal communities from UCC’s coverage. Every community has the right to protect its culture under Article 29, but why is only the tribals’ autonomy being protected?” he said.

This exemption, Owaisi argued, exposes a structural inconsistency at the heart of the bill — one that critics say undermines the very premise of uniformity that the legislation claims to uphold.

Concerns Over Inheritance and Islamic Law

Owaisi raised specific objections over inheritance provisions, contending that the proposed code conflicts with Islamic principles governing succession and property rights. “In Islam, no one can exclude an heir from inheritance. No one can write a will to give their whole property to one son or deny their daughter inheritance. This UCC allows anyone to write a will and deny their daughters their fair share. This is far from a gender-just law,” he said.

The AIMIM leader went further, alleging that in matters of succession, inheritance, and divorce, Hindu legal principles were being selectively imposed. “This is a backdoor imposition of Hindu law on Muslims. In matters of succession, inheritance, and divorce, Hindu principles are being imposed. Only Hindu culture is being protected, while Muslims have to comply with these so-called ‘uniform’ rules,” he added.

Constitutional and Historical Arguments

Beyond the specific provisions, Owaisi argued that the bill lacks both public support and constitutional intent. He maintained that the framers of India’s Constitution had never envisioned a mandatory UCC. “The Constituent Assembly did not envision a mandatory UCC,” he stated, invoking the Directive Principles debate that has long shaped this contentious issue.

This argument echoes a long-standing position among UCC critics — that Article 44 of the Constitution, which mentions a uniform civil code, was placed under Directive Principles rather than Fundamental Rights precisely to signal aspiration, not obligation.

Government’s Position and Political Fallout

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Assam government tabled the UCC Bill on the same day, asserting that the legislation aims to ensure equality and legal uniformity across communities in the state. The tabling triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties and minority organisations, with Owaisi’s post amplifying the criticism nationally.

Assam becomes one of the first states after Uttarakhand to advance a UCC framework, making its legislative journey closely watched by both supporters and opponents of the policy. How the bill navigates the Assembly — and any subsequent legal challenge — will set a significant precedent for other BJP-governed states considering similar legislation.