Days after returning to power with a historic mandate, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday firmly reiterated his government’s commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), declaring that the BJP-led administration would work to fulfil every promise made in its election manifesto.
Speaking to reporters, Sarma said the UCC was an integral part of the BJP’s electoral commitments and would be pursued along with other promises made to the people of the state. “UCC is a part of our election manifesto. Every point in our election manifesto, not only UCC, all that we have mentioned in our election manifesto, we’ll try 100 per cent to implement,” the Chief Minister said.
#WATCH | Guwahati | Assam CM Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma says, “UCC (Uniform Civil Code) is a part of our manifesto. We will try to implement every word we have mentioned in our manifesto, including UCC.” pic.twitter.com/RmE1fFUYfh
— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2026
The remarks came a day after Himanta Biswa Sarma took oath for a second consecutive term as Chief Minister in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders. The BJP-led NDA registered a massive victory in the Assam Assembly elections, winning 102 out of 126 seats.
First Cabinet meeting after massive electoral win
The strong assertion came ahead of the first Cabinet meeting of the new government, signalling that key ideological and governance priorities of the BJP will remain central to Assam’s political roadmap.
The first Cabinet meeting of the new government, scheduled for Wednesday, is expected to focus on development priorities and administrative decisions for the next phase of governance in the state.
UCC debate gains momentum in BJP-ruled states
Sarma’s statement comes amid renewed political debate over the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in BJP-ruled states. The proposed law seeks to replace religion-based personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption with a common legal framework applicable to all citizens.
The BJP has consistently projected the UCC as a measure aimed at ensuring gender justice, equality and national integration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior party leaders have repeatedly argued that separate personal laws for different communities go against the principle of equal rights.
Earlier this year, Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to pass a Uniform Civil Code legislation after the Pushkar Singh Dhami government cleared the bill in the Assembly. The law, however, is yet to be fully operationalised pending procedural implementation.
The push for the UCC has also triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties and several minority organisations, which have expressed concerns that a common civil law framework could impact India’s cultural and religious diversity. Critics of the proposal have demanded wider consultations and greater clarity before any nationwide implementation.
Assam government’s reform measures
In Assam, the BJP government has already introduced several policy measures linked to its broader governance agenda, including steps related to marriage registration, restrictions on polygamy, land reforms and action in encroachment-prone areas.
The ruling party has maintained that these initiatives are aligned with its electoral promises and administrative reforms aimed at strengthening governance in the state.