Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel praised the state Assembly’s approval of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill 2026 as a historic moment for Gujarat and India. The legislation, passed after a lengthy debate, aims to establish a uniform legal framework for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption across religions and communities. Patel highlighted that the UCC would ensure equal rights for women of all faiths, enhancing their dignity and security.
The CM emphasized that the Bill does not intend to erase any culture and assured that tribal customs would remain unaffected. He mentioned that the legislation, which includes provisions for women and children’s justice, was meticulously discussed before its introduction. Patel underscored that the law considers the state’s geographical and cultural diversity to prevent any community from facing injustice.
A high-level committee, led by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai, conducted a thorough study and submitted its findings to the government after extensive consultations and public outreach. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi revealed that the committee received around 20 lakh suggestions from the public through various channels, with a significant majority supporting uniform provisions on marriage, divorce, property rights, and maintenance.
The UCC Bill mandates the registration of marriages within 60 days, imposing penalties for non-compliance. It also addresses issues like fraudulent marriages, coercion, bigamy, and divorce, with strict penalties to safeguard women’s and children’s rights. The proposed legislation aims to ensure gender equality, simplify legal processes, and enhance women’s financial security by introducing uniform maintenance and inheritance provisions across communities.
