In a landmark decision on March 25, 2026, the Gujarat Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill after a heated seven-hour debate. The Bill, which proposes a uniform legal framework to govern marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in relationships, irrespective of religion, was passed with a majority voice vote. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hailed the Bill as a crucial reform to ensure equality, while the Congress strongly opposed it, alleging that it violated fundamental rights and was "anti-Muslim."

With the passage of this Bill, Gujarat has become the second state in India, after Uttarakhand, to adopt the UCC. The UCC was first introduced in Uttarakhand in February 2024, marking a significant shift in the state's legal landscape. The Gujarat Bill, titled 'Gujarat Uniform Civil Code, 2026', applies to the entire state, including residents living outside Gujarat’s territorial boundaries. However, the Bill clarifies that it will not apply to Scheduled Tribes (ST) or certain groups with protected customary rights under the Constitution.

The Bill also introduces provisions to register and formally terminate live-in relationships and prohibits bigamy. This means that a person cannot remarry if their spouse is still alive, and any marriage entered into under the code will be considered valid only if both parties do not have a living spouse.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, while tabling the Bill, emphasized that the legislation aims to create a unified legal framework based on constitutional principles. He stated that the implementation of the UCC aligns with the provisions of the Indian Constitution, particularly Article 14, which guarantees equality before the law. He further stated, "A common legal framework is necessary for a united and undivided nation."

However, the opposition Congress party vehemently opposed the Bill. Senior Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar criticized the Bill for being introduced hastily, with an eye on the upcoming 2027 Gujarat Assembly elections. Congress leaders, including Amit Chavda and Imran Khedawala, argued that the Bill violated the constitutional guarantees of equality and termed it "anti-Muslim." Khedawala specifically targeted the Bill for allegedly discriminating against Muslims, further fueling the debate.

While the UCC Bill is hailed by some as a step towards equality, its opponents, including Congress, argue that it encroaches on personal freedoms and violates the principles of justice and equality enshrined in the Constitution. The passage of the Bill has sparked a deep political and social divide, with Gujarat’s future legal landscape now poised for significant changes.