Assam CM Sarma Reiterates Implementation Of Uniform Civil Code Alongside Key Governance Priorities.

Guwahati; May 2026: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Wednesday, reiterated the BJP-led government’s commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), asserting that every promise made in the party’s election manifesto would be fulfilled. While addressing the media reporters after a visit to the samadhi of Assam’s first Chief Minister, Gopinath Bordoloi at Silpukhuri in Guwahati, Sarma said, “UCC is a part of our election manifesto. So, every point in our election manifesto, not only UCC, all that we have mentioned in our election manifesto, we’ll try 100% to implement”.

The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid renewed discussions on the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in BJP-ruled states. The State unit of the BJP has been demanding the implementation of the UCC in the state. As the Chief Minister has the numbers in the House, he will only have to persuade his NDA colleagues to bring in UCC in the State. The UCC seeks to replace religion-based personal laws governing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption with a common set of laws applicable to all citizens. In Assam, the BJP government has already introduced several measures related to marriage registration, polygamy restrictions, land reforms and encroachment-prone areas, which the ruling party says are aligned with its electoral commitments.

Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to pass a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) legislation after the BJP government led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami cleared the bill in the Assembly earlier this year (2026). The law is yet to be fully operationalised due to pending procedural implementation.

The BJP has consistently advocated for the UCC, maintaining that it would ensure gender justice, equality and national integration. The issue has remained a longstanding ideological commitment of the party and forms part of its broader governance agenda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders have repeatedly backed the introduction of a common civil law framework across the country, arguing that different personal laws for different communities are inconsistent with the principle of equal rights. However, Opposition parties and several minority organisations have expressed reservations over the proposal, alleging that the move could undermine India’s cultural and religious diversity. Critics have called for wider consultations before any nationwide implementation of the UCC.

When asked by the reporters about the commencement of assembly proceedings, the Chief minister announced that the new session of the Assam Assembly will commence on May 21st, during which newly elected MLAs will be sworn in. “From today onwards, the government will officially start its work. During today’s Cabinet meeting, we will decide how many days the Assembly session will continue and what business will be taken up”, Sarma said.

The 16th Assam Assembly is likely to sit for 03 days from May 21, during which the newly elected legislators will take oath. Sarma, accompanied by four Cabinet colleagues, paid floral tributes and outlined the government’s priorities for its new term. “Our government, before formally beginning work, visited the memorial of Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi to seek his blessings so that we can continue to work for Assam’s security and development”, he said.

Sarma further said that safeguarding Assam and protecting the interests of its people would remain a key responsibility of the government. “The protection of Assam, Assamese people and Indians is our responsibility, and the people will witness it through our work”, he added. The Chief Minister also asserted that the new government would function with continuity and carry forward the work initiated during its previous term. “This is not a completely new government; it is a continuation. The work we started earlier will continue in the same manner. The time for speeches is over with the end of the elections. People now expect work from us”, he said.

Team Maverick.