Story perspectives

Gujarat President Assents Uniform Civil Code Bill 2026

By Drooid · Oct 3, 2026, 3:59 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Walkout over anti-Muslim bill

President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to Gujarat’s Uniform Civil Code Bill 2026 on September 17, completing its legislative process.
Opposition legislators from Congress and Aam Aadmi Party walked out, demanding a select-committee referral and labeling the bill anti-Muslim.
The bill awaits a state notification of implementation rules before taking effect.
It mandates registration within 60 days and sets ages 21 for men, 18 for women.

Right

Women Empowerment Claim

President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to Gujarat’s Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026 on September 17, completing legislative process.
Supporters present the law as a major advance for women’s empowerment and equal rights across communities.
The code mandates registration of marriages, divorces and live-in relationships, imposing fines up to Rs 10,000.
Scheduled Tribes are exempt, preserving their constitutional customary rights.
Gujarat joins Uttarakhand as the only states with enacted Uniform Civil Codes.

Blindspot

Center-leaning reports say opposition legislators from the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party walked out of the Gujarat Assembly, demanding referral to a select committee and accusing the Uniform Civil Code Bill of being anti-Muslim.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

Article 44 of the 1950 Constitution first called for a Uniform Civil Code, but the issue resurfaced after the Supreme Court’s 1985 Shah Bano judgment, which led to the 1986 Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act. Subsequent UCC bills in 2019 and 2020 were withdrawn, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2023 push revived debate, prompting renewed opposition from opposition parties and tribal groups.

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Walkout over anti-Muslim bill

President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to Gujarat’s Uniform Civil Code Bill 2026 on September 17, completing its legislative process.
Opposition legislators from Congress and Aam Aadmi Party walked out, demanding a select-committee referral and labeling the bill anti-Muslim.
The bill awaits a state notification of implementation rules before taking effect.
It mandates registration within 60 days and sets ages 21 for men, 18 for women.

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