State Government Pushes Uniform Civil Code Ahead of Congress Criticism

In a swift move at the start of the monsoon legislative session, the Madhya Pradesh government introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026. The proposal, brought forward by Minister Gautam Tetwal, has been slated for a detailed discussion on July 21, as per the timetable set by Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar.

The cabinet, meeting in Jagdishpur on Sunday, gave its nod to the bill and other priority measures, intending to present them before the session ends on July 24. Opposition members from the Congress party challenged the process, noting that the bill was not mentioned in the official agenda released for Monday’s proceedings.

Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai chaired a seven‑member committee formed on April 27, 2026, to draft the UCC. The committee blended expertise from academia, law, social work and administration, and it carried out a comprehensive review of existing statutes. It also organized 50 public consultations at district and state levels and launched an online portal to capture citizen feedback.

The outreach effort involved sending 34.9 million SMS alerts, which generated more than 1,130 suggestions. The government asserts that about 94 % of participants endorsed the implementation of a uniform civil code across Madhya Pradesh. The draft stipulates compulsory registration of marriages, parity in property rights for women, and a penal provision of up to five years imprisonment for married individuals cohabiting in a live‑in relationship.

If legislated, Madhya Pradesh would follow Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam in becoming a state that enforces a Uniform Civil Code, a landmark step the administration says will bolster women’s rights and societal harmony.