AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government on Tuesday tabled the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, in the legislative assembly, triggering a sharp political and constitutional debate over equality, timing, and intent ahead of assembly elections scheduled in 2027.
The bill, introduced by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, seeks to establish a single legal framework governing marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships, irrespective of religion. The bill was tabled just a week after a state-appointed panel submitted its final report on March 17.
The government frames the bill as a long-pending reform aligned with constitutional ideals of equality and justice. If passed, Gujarat will become only the second state after Uttarakhand to enact a UCC law. Uttarakhand, in February 2024, passed a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill.
Titled the 'Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026', the proposed law will extend to the entire state and also apply to residents of Gujarat living outside its territorial limits.
But it will not apply to members of Scheduled Tribes and certain groups whose customary rights are protected under the Constitution.
The bill mandates registration of live-in relationships and formalises their termination, while also outlawing bigamy by declaring a marriage valid only if neither party has a living spouse at the time of union. These provisions, the government argues, are aimed at ensuring legal clarity and gender justice.
Defending the bill, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said, "We will strengthen the national resolve of equality, justice and unity. This bill has been brought after discussing all aspects. It will provide equal justice to citizens and ensure equal rights for women with dignity and respect."
Reinforcing the government's stance, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi called the moment “historic,” linking the reform to long-standing gender inequities embedded in personal laws. He said, "Even after independence, different personal laws based on religion caused the most suffering to our sisters and daughters. Now, through UCC, the same rules will apply to everyone in marriage, inheritance, and civil matters. This law delivers equal justice not for one religion, but for the entire society."
He further expressed confidence that legislators across party lines would back the bill in the interest of women's rights.
However, the opposition launched a sharp counterattack, questioning both the intent and the urgency behind the legislation.
Congress MLA Amit Chavda directly challenged the timing, asking, “Why does the government remember UCC whenever elections come?” He raised procedural concerns, alleging that key stakeholders, including religious leaders, were excluded from consultations, despite nearly one lakh objections being submitted.
Chavda said, "The committee was formed in February 2025 and submitted its report on March 17. Now, in the wake of elections, the government has rushed this bill. The report has not even been made public. Why this hurry?" He warned that a law of such magnitude must emerge from wider consensus, cautioning against legislation that could "hurt sentiments" or be perceived as politically motivated.