MP Approves UCC, 5-Years Jail For Married Men In Live-In Relation: 'Ram Or Rahim, Law For Everyone'
MP Approves UCC, 5-Years Jail For Married Men In Live-In Relation: 'Ram Or Rahim, Law For Everyone' Published By Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 17:07
MP Approves UCC, 5-Years Jail For Married Men In Live-In Relation: 'Ram Or Rahim, Law For Everyone' Published By Last Updated: July 19, 2026, 17:07 IST Madhya Pradesh govt has approved a UCC bill which will now go to the legislature for clearance. Know what all is there in the law. Rapid Read Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav (Image: PTI/File) The Madhya Pradesh cabinet on Sunday approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) at a special meeting in Bhopal, with the government pitching it as a step toward equal rights in marriage, inheritance, and live-in relationships. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the law applies uniformly across communities, but Scheduled Tribes and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in protected areas will remain exempt, PTI reported.
“Whether Ram or Rahim, the UCC has been brought to ensure equal rights for all," he said. Live-In Rules The law introduces sweeping changes. It enforces monogamy, mandates legal divorce through courts, and sets the minimum marriage age at 21 for men and 18 for women. Marriage registration will be compulsory across all levels, from panchayats to municipal bodies. The code also brings live-in relationships under regulation. Couples must register within one month, and the same age criteria as marriage will apply. A married person entering a live-in relationship could face up to five years in prison. In a key shift, sons and daughters will now have equal inheritance rights, replacing earlier provisions that gave women a reduced share. Politics Around UCC The government said religious freedom remains protected, with individuals free to follow their customs and rituals without interference.
Yadav claimed broad support during consultations, saying a majority of Muslim women and a section of Muslim men backed the move. He added that public feedback was sought at district and state levels before approval. The chief minister also targeted the Congress for skipping all-party discussions on the bill. The Opposition, however, pushed back sharply. Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar accused the BJP of using the UCC to deflect from pressing issues like unemployment, inflation and farmers’ distress. The law now sets the stage for a major political and legal debate in the state. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Could other states adopt a similar UCC law soon? It is unclear if other states will soon adopt a similar Uniform Civil Code (UCC) law.
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