Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Bimal Bora on Wednesday, 27 May made a strong case for the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the Assam Assembly, calling it a landmark move to advance social justice, gender equality, and constitutional values in the state. Bora's remarks came during the Assembly's ongoing session dedicated to discussions on the Bill.

What Bora Said in the Assembly

Speaking during the legislative debate, Bora argued that the UCC Bill was not simply a legal instrument but a reflection of India's civilisational commitment to unity. 'This Bill is not just a legal framework. It reflects India's cultural unity, social justice, and constitutional consciousness,' he said on the floor of the House.

He invoked the country's diversity — from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from the North East to other regions — to argue that despite differences in language, customs, and traditions, a shared national spirit makes a uniform civil framework both possible and necessary. 'India is a nation of unity in diversity. Languages, traditions, and customs may differ, but our spirit remains one,' he added.

Constitutional Grounding: Article 44

Bora rooted his argument in Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy, which directs the state to endeavour to secure a uniform civil code for citizens. He contended that the UCC was never a sudden or partisan idea but was embedded in the original vision of the Constitution's framers. 'The idea of the Uniform Civil Code is not sudden or arbitrary. It was part of the vision of the framers of the Constitution,' he said.

He also cited judicial observations and court rulings on gender equality and personal laws, arguing that certain existing legal provisions have perpetuated inequality — particularly against women across communities.

Focus on Women's Rights and Family Stability

According to Bora, the proposed legislation is specifically aimed at securing dignity and justice for women belonging to all communities, cutting across religious lines. He highlighted Assam's diverse social fabric and asserted that marriage and family traditions remain central pillars of society, with the UCC designed to reinforce social responsibility and stability within families.

Bora also credited Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for fulfilling what he described as a long-standing promise of tabling the legislation, framing it as the BJP's ideological commitment to the principle of 'One Nation, One Law'.

Political and Legislative Context

The Assam UCC Bill is part of a broader national conversation that gained momentum after Uttarakhand became the first state to enact a UCC in 2024. The Assam Assembly debate signals the BJP's intent to push the legislation through at the state level, building political and social consensus before a formal vote. Critics and opposition legislators are expected to raise concerns over the Bill's implications for tribal communities and religious minorities, though those arguments were not detailed in Wednesday's proceedings. The outcome of the Assam debate could influence how other BJP-governed states approach the UCC question in the months ahead.