UCC rumours trigger surge in nikah applications in Bhopal as Muslim families fear cousin marriage ban

Rumours and incomplete information surrounding the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) have reportedly created confusion and anxiety among sections of the Muslim community in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal. The uncertainty has led to a sharp increase in the number of applications for nikah, with daily applications reportedly rising from around 30-40 to more than 200, and in some accounts reaching nearly 300. The sudden rush is being attributed to a widespread rumour that marriages between certain relatives, including cousins, would be prohibited once the UCC comes into force in the state. Members of the community who had already fixed marriages months or even years in advance are reportedly approaching Qazi offices to complete the process at the earliest.