Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Tuesday passed the Madhya Pradesh Uniform Civil Code (UCC), 2026 Bill amid noisy protests by the Opposition Congress, marking a significant legislative development in the state. The Bill seeks to establish a common civil law governing marriage, divorce, inheritance and live-in relationships across communities, while exempting Scheduled Tribes protected under Articles 342 and 366(25) of the Constitution.
The legislation was introduced on the second day of the Assembly’s monsoon session and was passed by voice vote despite sustained protests from Congress legislators, who demanded that it be referred to a Select Committee for further scrutiny.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, while replying to the debate, described the Bill as a historic milestone and said it fulfilled the constitutional vision envisaged under Article 44, which directs the State to strive for a Uniform Civil Code.
Calling the legislation a landmark reform, Yadav said the law would prohibit practices such as polygamy, triple talaq and nikah halala, make the registration of marriages and divorces compulsory, and provide equal inheritance rights irrespective of gender. He maintained that the legislation was aimed at ensuring equality before the law and strengthening women’s rights.
“The fundamental spirit of the Uniform Civil Code is equality and respect for all,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the law would provide equal legal protection to every citizen while promoting social harmony and national integration.
The Chief Minister also defended the exclusion of Scheduled Tribes from the legislation, stating that the exemption had been provided in accordance with constitutional safeguards protecting tribal customs and traditional rights.
Explaining the key provisions, Yadav said the minimum legal age for marriage would remain 21 years for men and 18 years for women, while marriage registration would become mandatory. The Bill also prohibits a person from entering into another marriage without first obtaining a legal divorce from the existing spouse.
One of the notable provisions of the legislation relates to live-in relationships. Couples entering into a live-in relationship will be required to submit a declaration to the designated registrar within one month of beginning to live together. If either partner is below the age of 21 years, information regarding the commencement and termination of the relationship will also be communicated to their parents or guardians, while the registrar will forward the record to the local police station.
The legislation further seeks to criminalise practices including instant triple talaq and nikah halala, which the government said would enhance legal protection for women and ensure uniform application of civil laws across religious communities.
During the debate, senior Congress MLA Arif Masood opposed the Bill and urged the Speaker to refer it to a Select Committee, arguing that several provisions required detailed examination. He alleged that the proposed law contained inconsistencies and questioned the state’s decision to introduce a Uniform Civil Code when the issue remains under consideration at the national level.
Masood also argued that certain provisions of the Bill could conflict with constitutional protections relating to cultural and educational rights guaranteed under Article 29 of the Constitution. However, the Assembly rejected the amendments moved by the Opposition through a voice vote.
Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar also opposed the legislation, contending that the state government should prioritise issues such as the implementation of 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) instead of introducing the UCC. He maintained that Madhya Pradesh currently faced more pressing governance challenges requiring immediate attention.
As proceedings continued, Congress legislators entered the Well of the House and raised slogans against the government. Amid the disruptions, Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar conducted the voice vote through which the Bill was passed.
Outside the Assembly, Singhar accused the Bharatiya Janata Party government of pursuing ideological objectives under the guise of legal reform. He alleged that the government was ignoring pressing public concerns, including the shortage of fertilisers for farmers, unemployment among youth, rising crimes against women and alleged administrative irregularities.
Responding to the criticism, Chief Minister Yadav rejected the Opposition’s allegations and asserted that the legislation was intended solely to establish a common legal framework for all citizens. Addressing the Congress charge that the government was implementing the “RSS agenda”, he remarked that if the agenda was nationalist in nature, the government had no hesitation in implementing it.
The Chief Minister further announced that the Bill would now be sent to the President of India for assent before it can come into force.
Once implemented, the Madhya Pradesh Uniform Civil Code is expected to create a unified legal framework governing civil matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and live-in relationships across religious communities in the state, while continuing to preserve the constitutional protections available to Scheduled Tribes.
