Guwahati, 26th February: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing the Assam Legislative Assembly on the final day of the Budget session, clarified the distinctions between the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the Healing Act, emphasizing their disparate scopes and objectives.
Sarma asserted that the UCC primarily focuses on four key subjects, including the prohibition of marriages involving individuals below the legal age, prohibition of polygamy, ensuring full property rights for girls from their parents, and mandating registration for couples in live-in relationships to safeguard their children’s property rights.
Responding to opposition allegations linking the Healing Act to indirect implementation of the UCC, Sarma refuted any common ground between the two legislative measures. He reiterated the government’s commitment to preventing child marriage through either the UCC or the Muslim Marriage Act.
Drawing parallels to Jawaharlal Nehru’s 1954 Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, Sarma addressed concerns over preserving traditional healing practices, particularly in tribal communities. He emphasized the government’s intention to revise the Healing Act to safeguard Assam’s cultural heritage while preventing misuse of healing practices for political purposes.
Sarma underscored the government’s resolve to address social issues while respecting cultural diversity, urging unity and support from all stakeholders, including the opposition, in upholding the principles outlined in the UCC and ensuring the well-being of Assam’s communities.
Read More: Assam CM Disassociates Uniform Civil Code from Healing Act