The Madhya Pradesh Assembly has passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill today.
The bill was passed on the second day of the monsoon session of the state assembly amid uproar by opposition parties. It will now be sent to the Governor for approval. Once the Governor gives the nod, UCC will come into force.
During the session, Congress MLAs demanded that the bill be referred to a select committee, but the government rejected the proposal.
In protest, opposition MLAs stormed the well of the House and raised slogans, forcing the proceedings to be adjourned twice. Despite the disruption, the bill was passed by majority.
Under the key provisions of UCC, more than one marriage will not be valid in the state. Divorce will have to follow a legal process. Women and men will get equal inheritance rights.
Registration of live-in relationships will be mandatory within one month. Marriage registration will be compulsory up to the village level. Tribal communities have been kept outside the scope of this.