On the first day of the Monsoon Session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the state government presented the Madhya Pradesh Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill. This move led to strong objections from opposition parties as Higher Education Minister Gautam Tetwal tabled the bill, approved by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s cabinet. The UCC Bill is part of a set of 14 bills introduced, covering various aspects like education, fire services, business facilitation, and tax amendments.
The UCC Bill aims to establish consistent regulations for marriage, divorce, adoption, and inheritance, superseding religion-specific laws. Notable provisions include the prohibition of polygamy and ‘Triple Talaq’, compulsory registration of marriages and live-in relationships, and equal inheritance rights for all family members. The bill also addresses maintenance rights for women in abandoned live-in relationships and proposes penalties for those abandoning their parents.
Additionally, the UCC Bill outlines procedures for transparent adoptions, disqualifies murderers from inheriting property, and sets up a registration system for marriages and divorces. It excludes the tribal community from its provisions and emphasizes that it does not abolish religious marriage practices but standardizes the legal framework governing their outcomes. The bill’s drafting involved a committee led by former Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, which collected public feedback and recommendations before finalizing the bill.
The government views the UCC Bill as a significant stride towards social reform and gender equality. However, the strong opposition signals that the bill is likely to face heated debates in the upcoming sessions.
