Protests Erupt in Ahmedabad After UCC Bill Passage; AIMIM, SDPI Workers Detained

Protests broke out in Ahmedabad on Tuesday shortly after the Gujarat Assembly passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2026. Workers from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) staged separate demonstrations against the new law.

AIMIM supporters gathered near Lal Darwaza, close to Lucky Hotel, where they raised slogans opposing the bill. Police intervened and detained the protesters before later releasing them.

In a separate protest, SDPI members, including several Muslim women, assembled near Relief Road. They carried banners featuring Dr B.R. Ambedkar and voiced concerns that the UCC violates constitutional provisions, particularly Articles 14 and 15, which guarantee equality and non-discrimination. These protesters were taken to Karanj Police Station and released about an hour later.

The protests come in the wake of the Assembly passing the UCC Bill with a majority vote, despite strong objections from opposition parties. The Congress has criticised the legislation, calling it “anti-Muslim” and indicating plans to challenge it legally.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, has defended the move, stating that the law aims to bring uniformity in personal laws across communities. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the bill is based on constitutional values and includes provisions such as mandatory marriage registration, equal inheritance rights, and legal recognition of live-in relationships.

Opposition leaders argued that the bill was introduced in haste and could interfere with religious practices, particularly those related to marriage and inheritance in the Muslim community. Some lawmakers also expressed concern that it could undermine existing constitutional protections.

Further protests and legal challenges are expected in the coming days as the debate over the UCC continues.