Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, welcomed the passage of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill in the Assam Legislative Assembly, calling it a decisive step toward equality, justice, and social harmony in India.

Context

Shekhawat posted his remarks on X, writing in Hindi that the bill's passage is 'samanta, nyay aur samajik samarasta ki disha mein ek aur sulajha hua kadam' — 'another well-considered step in the direction of equality, justice, and social harmony.' He credited the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and invoked the BJP's governing philosophy of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas' ('Together with all, development for all, trust of all'). The minister also tagged Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the post, signalling broad party solidarity on the legislation.

Policy Backdrop

Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to pass a state-level UCC law in February 2024, setting a legislative precedent that BJP-governed states have since looked to replicate. The push for a Uniform Civil Code draws directly from Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, which lists it as a Directive Principle of State Policy, and has featured prominently in the BJP's successive national election manifestos. A state-level UCC typically seeks to standardise personal laws — governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption — across religious communities within the state's jurisdiction.

Shekhawat described the Assam bill as an 'exemplary decision' (anukarniya nirnay) that would promote equal rights, transparency, and national integration within society. His framing aligns with the party's broader argument that uniform personal laws advance gender equality, particularly for women from minority communities who may face disadvantageous provisions under religion-specific personal laws.

Stakeholders and Impact

The legislation, if enacted, would directly affect Assam's diverse population, which includes significant Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and indigenous tribal communities. Women are widely cited as the primary intended beneficiaries, as UCC proponents argue that standardised laws on marriage age, divorce rights, and inheritance would eliminate gender-discriminatory provisions that exist in some religion-specific codes. Civil society groups and religious organisations across the political spectrum have historically held divergent views on the merits of such legislation, with supporters emphasising constitutional equality and critics raising concerns about cultural and religious autonomy.

The passage in Assam adds to a growing list of BJP-governed states that have moved to legislate on civil law reform, reinforcing the party's positioning ahead of future electoral cycles and its long-standing ideological commitment to a common civil framework.

What's Next

Legislative watchers will now track whether other BJP-ruled states introduce similar bills, building further momentum toward the party's stated national goal. Any legal challenges to state-level UCC laws are likely to be heard by the Supreme Court of India, which could eventually rule on the constitutional validity and scope of such legislation. The developments in Assam and Uttarakhand together may also intensify the debate over whether a central, nationwide UCC should be tabled in Parliament.