Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has strongly defended the state's newly passed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026, saying the legislation is designed to protect the rights of every citizen by ensuring equality before the law while respecting the state's tribal traditions.

The Chief Minister's remarks came days after the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed the Madhya Pradesh Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026 by a voice vote on July 21, despite noisy protests and a walkout by the Opposition Congress. The Bill makes Madhya Pradesh one of the few states in India to adopt a Uniform Civil Code, following Uttarakhand.

Speaking at a public event in Alirajpur, Mohan Yadav said the state government believes in equal treatment for all citizens regardless of religion or community. He added that the legislation has been framed to promote justice, transparency, and social harmony without affecting the cultural identity of tribal communities.

Equal Rights for Every Citizen

Chief Minister Yadav said the Uniform Civil Code reflects the constitutional principle of equality and is intended to provide a common legal framework governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, maintenance, and adoption.

According to him, different personal laws often create legal complexities and unequal treatment among citizens. The new legislation seeks to establish a uniform legal system that guarantees equal rights and responsibilities while simplifying legal procedures.

"The Uniform Civil Code has been introduced to ensure justice for every citizen. Our government believes that every individual deserves equal protection under the law," the Chief Minister said.

He also emphasized that the legislation is not aimed at targeting any particular community but at strengthening the constitutional values of equality and fairness.

Tribal Communities Kept Outside UCC

Addressing concerns raised by various tribal organisations, Mohan Yadav clarified that the government has excluded Scheduled Tribes from the ambit of the Uniform Civil Code.

He said Madhya Pradesh has a rich tribal heritage, and the government remains committed to protecting traditional customs, social practices, and cultural identities of tribal communities.

"The traditions and customs of our tribal brothers and sisters are unique. Keeping their interests in mind, the state government has ensured that tribal communities remain outside the scope of the Uniform Civil Code," he said.

The exemption is similar to the approach adopted in other states implementing the UCC, where constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes have been retained.

Opposition Continues to Criticise Bill

The Congress strongly opposed the legislation during the Assembly session, arguing that the Bill required wider public consultation before implementation.

Opposition members staged protests inside the House and questioned the need for introducing the law without extensive discussions with social organisations, legal experts, and minority groups.

Congress leaders also alleged that the government was attempting to politicise a sensitive issue ahead of future elections.

However, the BJP rejected these allegations, maintaining that the legislation is based entirely on constitutional principles and is intended to promote equality rather than political interests.

Government Calls UCC a Landmark Reform

The BJP government has described the Uniform Civil Code as one of its most significant legal reforms since coming to power.

According to the state government, the new law is expected to reduce legal disputes arising from different personal laws and provide a more transparent legal framework for families across the state.

Officials have said the implementation process will involve detailed rules and administrative guidelines to ensure smooth enforcement without causing inconvenience to citizens.

The government also plans to conduct awareness campaigns explaining the provisions of the law and its impact on various sections of society.

Part of BJP's Larger Reform Agenda

The passage of the UCC Bill is being seen as part of the BJP's broader governance agenda, which includes legal reforms, administrative transparency, and welfare measures.

The party has consistently advocated the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code, arguing that it fulfills the constitutional vision outlined under the Directive Principles of State Policy.

With Madhya Pradesh becoming one of the latest states to enact such legislation, political observers believe the move could become an important issue in future political discourse, both within the state and at the national level.

While legal experts expect the implementation phase to be closely watched, the state government remains confident that the Uniform Civil Code will strengthen legal equality without compromising India's cultural diversity.