‘Won’t Accept UCC’: Massive Protest Erupts After Friday Prayers in Cachar

Hundreds of Muslims gathered outside a mosque in Berenga area of Cachar district on Friday (June 12) to protest against the recently passed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) legislation in Assam, alleging that the law unfairly targets the Muslim community.

The protest took place after Friday prayers, with demonstrators raising slogans against the legislation and calling for its withdrawal. Among those present was former MLA Ataur Rahman Mazarbhuiya, who addressed the gathering and criticised the law, describing it as an attack on religious freedom and the state’s cultural diversity.

Speaking to the media, Mazarbhuiya alleged that the UCC was being imposed in an unfair manner and claimed that it specifically targeted Islam and Muslims. He further argued that the legislation was based on the assumption that Muslim personal laws do not adequately protect women’s rights.

During his speech, Mazarbhuiya also referred to polygamy and claimed that tribal communities record the highest number of polygamy cases in India while Muslims have fewer such cases than Hindus. However, these claims could not be independently verified. He cited data from what he described as the “Indian Social Society”, but no publicly available source or report by that name could be immediately located.

Available data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) presents a different picture. According to the survey, polygamy rates remain low across all communities, with Scheduled Tribes recording the highest prevalence at 2.4 per cent, followed by Christians at 2.1 per cent, Muslims at 1.9 per cent and Hindus at 1.3 per cent.

Mazarbhuiya also stated that Scheduled Tribes had been exempted from the provisions of the UCC and argued that this created unequal treatment under the law. He further claimed that thousands of Muslims had sacrificed their lives during India’s freedom struggle and said the community was prepared to continue peaceful democratic protests to safeguard both their religious rights and the Constitution.

He maintained that freedom of religion is guaranteed under the Constitution of India and described it as a fundamental right. Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality and health.

The Assam government has maintained that the UCC aims to bring uniformity in civil matters and improve legal protections, particularly for women. The legislation continues to generate debate among different sections of society, with supporters and critics offering contrasting views on its impact and constitutional validity.