TNI Bureau: The Assam Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, making Assam the third state after Uttarakhand and Gujarat to adopt such legislation. The Bill seeks to establish a common legal framework governing marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships irrespective of religion. It also proposes a ban on polygamy and makes registration of live-in relationships mandatory.

After a day-long debate, Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass rejected the Opposition’s demand to send the Bill to a select committee for wider consultation. Opposition members protested in the Well of the House as the Bill was passed through voice vote.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma moved the Bill for passage, following which ruling party members raised slogans in support of the legislation.

The proposed law, however, will not apply to Scheduled Tribes residing in Assam. It also includes punitive provisions, including up to seven years’ imprisonment for bigamy or polygamy and up to three months’ jail for failure to register live-in relationships.