Guwahati, May 26: Assam Congress leader Zubair Anam on May 26 raised questions over the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the state, arguing that the legislation could not be termed “uniform” if different provisions and exemptions existed for different sections of society.
Speaking to reporters, Anam said a law intended to create a common civil framework should apply equally to all communities. He maintained that if the proposed legislation was considered beneficial, it should be implemented uniformly, and if not, it should not be enforced at all.
He pointed to the exemptions granted under the draft legislation and questioned the practical implications of maintaining separate provisions for tribal and non-tribal communities. Referring to clauses related to live-in relationships, he said the bill proposed mandatory registration for non-tribal individuals entering such arrangements and raised questions about how such provisions would operate in situations involving partners from different communities.
Anam stated that the central idea behind a Uniform Civil Code was equality before the law and questioned the rationale behind excluding tribal groups from certain provisions. He argued that the concept of uniformity should mean equal applicability and questioned whether selective exemptions created inconsistencies within the framework.
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP-led government over economic concerns, saying issues affecting ordinary citizens were being overshadowed by other debates. Referring to fuel price hikes, he said increases in petrol and diesel rates inevitably affected the prices of other essential commodities and added to the burden on people.
He further alleged that fuel prices had remained stable during the election period and increased afterwards. Referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Anam said the party had earlier warned that prices could rise following the conclusion of elections.
On the Women’s Reservation Bill, he said the Congress supported the legislation but believed its implementation should not be linked with delimitation and should be carried out without conditions.
Responding to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s remarks praising sections of the Muslim community for reportedly deciding against cow sacrifice during Eid, Anam dismissed the issue as a diversion from more pressing concerns. He described such discussions as divisive and reiterated that unemployment and price rise remained the primary issues affecting people.
