Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Madhya Pradesh Congress Pledges UCC Repeal After 2028 Victory
Umang Singhar is a Congress leader in Madhya Pradesh.
He said Congress would cancel the Uniform Civil Code if it wins the 2028 state election.
The Madhya Pradesh Assembly passed the bill in July.
Congress members protested during the debate.
The bill would create common rules for family matters such as marriage, divorce and inheritance.
It would ban polygamy and require some marriages and live-in relationships to be registered.
Scheduled Tribes would not be covered by the bill.
The BJP says the law supports equality and women’s rights, while Congress says it could interfere with religious and traditional practices.
Madhya Pradesh Opposition Leader Umang Singhar said Congress would scrap the Uniform Civil Code if it returns to power in 2028.
Singhar made the announcement at a Bhopal party event and called the UCC a “draconian law.”
The Madhya Pradesh Assembly passed the UCC Bill in July after Congress legislators protested and sought referral to a Select Committee.
The bill would ban polygamy and require registration of marriages and cohabiting relationships, while excluding Scheduled Tribes.
The BJP defended the bill as promoting women’s empowerment and equal rights, while Congress said it could interfere with religious practices.
- Who
- Umang Singhar, Leader of the Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, announced the pledge; the BJP and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav support the UCC.
- What
- Singhar said a Congress government would scrap the Uniform Civil Code if elected in 2028.
- When
- The announcement was made on a Sunday; the Cabinet cleared the bill on July 20, 2026, and the Assembly passed it on July 21, 2026.
- Where
- Singhar spoke at a party programme in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- Congress objects to what it describes as interference with religious and traditional practices, while the state government says the code would promote equality and protect women.
Congress and Opposition Concerns
BJP and Government Support
Religious practices
Congress and Opposition Concerns
Congress argues that the UCC interferes with Muslim religion and opposes state interference with religious practices.
BJP and Government Support
The BJP supports a common legal framework and says it would provide equal rights for all citizens.
Traditional and tribal customs
Congress and Opposition Concerns
Opposition parties say the law could adversely affect community traditions and raise concerns about tribal customs and constitutional safeguards.
BJP and Government Support
The bill excludes Scheduled Tribes from its ambit, while the government links the code to equality and social harmony.
Women’s rights and political intent
Congress and Opposition Concerns
Singhar describes the UCC as a “draconian law” and says Congress would abolish it after returning to power.
BJP and Government Support
BJP leader Rajneesh Agrawal says the bill promotes women’s empowerment and accused Congress of minority appeasement.
- Political pledge
- Congress says it would scrap the UCC if it forms the Madhya Pradesh government in 2028.
- Speaker
- Umang Singhar, Leader of the Opposition in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly.
- Cabinet approval
- The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet cleared the UCC Bill on July 20, 2026.
- Assembly passage
- The Assembly passed the bill on July 21, 2026, amid opposition protests.
- Key provisions
- The bill includes a ban on polygamy and compulsory registration of marriages and cohabiting relationships.
- Exemption
- Scheduled Tribes are outside the bill’s ambit.
- Government position
- The BJP and state government say the UCC would promote equal rights and strengthen women’s legal protection.
