Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Assam CM challenges Rahul Gandhi to back Uniform Civil Code
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma criticised Rahul Gandhi in a post on X. Sarma said Gandhi talks about women’s rights selectively.
He accused Gandhi of criticising Hindu traditions while not speaking enough about practices linked to Sharia jurisprudence.
Sarma said Manusmriti is not a universally binding code for all Hindus.
He also said Hinduism can change and reform over time.
Sarma criticised Congress over its handling of the Shah Bano judgment and triple talaq legislation.
He challenged Gandhi to support a Uniform Civil Code.
Such a code would aim to provide equal rights to citizens regardless of religion.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused Rahul Gandhi of selectively invoking women’s rights to criticise Hinduism.
Sarma alleged that Gandhi and Congress remain silent on patriarchal practices associated with Sharia jurisprudence.
He argued that Manusmriti is not a universally binding religious code for Hindus and said Hinduism can evolve and reform.
Sarma accused Congress of betraying Muslim women over the Shah Bano judgment and opposing legislation against triple talaq.
He challenged Gandhi to unequivocally support a Uniform Civil Code guaranteeing equal rights regardless of religion.
- Who
- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Rahul Gandhi, whom Sarma criticised.
- What
- Sarma accused Gandhi and Congress of a selective approach to women’s rights and challenged Gandhi to support a Uniform Civil Code.
- When
- Monday; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The comments were made in a post on X; the debate concerns India.
- Why
- Sarma said women’s equality should be applied consistently and used the issue to question Gandhi’s position on personal laws and the Uniform Civil Code.
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s position
Rahul Gandhi and Congress position
Women’s-rights debate
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s position
Sarma said Gandhi selectively invokes women’s rights to target Hinduism and described this as a smokescreen against Hindu Dharma.
Rahul Gandhi and Congress position
The article does not state Gandhi’s or Congress’s response to Sarma’s allegations.
Uniform Civil Code
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s position
Sarma challenged Gandhi to unequivocally support a UCC guaranteeing equal rights regardless of religion.
Rahul Gandhi and Congress position
The article does not specify Gandhi’s position on the UCC.
Personal laws and reform
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s position
Sarma contrasted Manusmriti with Sharia jurisprudence and said Hinduism can evolve, reform and adapt.
Rahul Gandhi and Congress position
The article does not provide Gandhi’s or Congress’s view on this comparison.
- Speaker
- Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam’s chief minister
- Target of criticism
- Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha
- Main challenge
- Sarma asked Gandhi to unequivocally support a Uniform Civil Code.
- Stated purpose of UCC
- Guaranteeing equal rights to citizens irrespective of religion
- Religious-code argument
- Sarma said Manusmriti does not have the status of a universally binding religious code for Hindus.
- Congress-related allegations
- Sarma accused Congress of reversing the effect of the Supreme Court’s Shah Bano judgment and opposing legislation against triple talaq.