The Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Tuesday passed the Madhya Pradesh Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, after a stormy debate marked by Opposition protests and sharp attacks from the Congress, which said the BJP government was pushing an ideological agenda while ignoring more urgent public issues.
With the passage of the Bill, Madhya Pradesh became the fourth state after Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam to adopt a Uniform Civil Code.
The legislation, introduced during the Monsoon Session, seeks to create a common civil law on marriage, divorce, inheritance and live-in relationships. It exempts Scheduled Tribes covered under Articles 342 and 366(25) of the Constitution.
The Bill bans polygamy, criminalises instant triple talaq and nikah halala, and makes registration of marriages, divorces and live-in relationships compulsory. It also provides equal inheritance rights regardless of gender. Couples in a live-in relationship must file a declaration with the registrar within one month of beginning to live together.
If either partner is below 21, the registrar has to inform the parents or guardians and send the details to the local police station.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav defended the law as a historic step and said it reflected the constitutional vision under Article 44. He said the UCC would strengthen women’s rights, promote equality and reinforce national unity, while accusing the Congress of opposing it for vote-bank politics.
The Congress, however, said the state had more pressing concerns, especially the long-pending demand for 27% reservation for OBCs. Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar said the UCC was not needed in Madhya Pradesh at this stage and argued that social justice issues deserved priority.
Congress MLAs later moved into the Well of the House after their amendments were rejected by voice vote, and the Bill was passed amid uproar. Outside the Assembly, Singhar said the BJP was using the UCC to push the RSS agenda and divert attention from unemployment, fertiliser shortages, rising crime against women and corruption.
Congress MLA Arif Masood also sought referral of the Bill to a Select Committee, saying it contained inconsistencies and could clash with constitutional protections. Another Congress MLA, Pankaj Upadhyay, said the government was trying to shift public attention away from governance failures.
The Bill will now go to the President for assent before it can become law.