The argument surrounding the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) increased on Monday, the day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that it would be put into effect in all 21 states that are ruled by the BJP-led NDA before 2029. BJP leaders and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) supported the action, but some NDA allies and Muslim organizations asked for more extensive discussions. Shah’s declaration was supported by BJP politicians, who maintained that a shared set of rules was necessary for social change and national unity.
According to Naresh Bansal, a BJP MP, Uttarakhand, his home state and the first in the nation to pass a UCC law, had paved the way for other states. He claimed the legislation was required for the nation and would aid in maintaining demographic equilibrium. Samik Bhattacharya, the president of the BJP’s West Bengal unit, stated that the party has always backed a UCC and insisted that there should be “one legislation in one nation. “ Minister of State Dilip Ghosh also supported implementation, stating that the process should start in Bengal and later spread to other states.
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Shah’s announcement was in line with Article 44 of the Constitution, which directs the state to endeavour towards securing a Uniform Civil Code for citizens. Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav also welcomed the move, saying the UCC should be implemented in BJP-ruled states before 2029. The VHP welcomed Shah’s announcement, with spokesperson Vinod Bansal saying implementation would be a milestone for women’s and children’s rights by addressing gender inequality and discrimination. He also appealed to non-BJP-ruled states to initiate the process.
However, the announcement has also exposed differing views within the NDA. Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas leader Chirag Paswan called for the proposed UCC draft to first be made public and sought extensive consultations, pointing to India’s diverse customs, traditions and constitutional protections for tribal communities and special-category regions. Meanwhile, opposition-ruled Jharkhand Minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav too adopted a cautious approach, saying the state government would examine all aspects and there was no need to rush to conclusions.
Opposition to the UCC also emerged from Muslim organisations. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board opposed the proposed legislation, with Bhopal Shahar Qazi Mushtaq Ali Nadvi questioning its necessity in view of constitutional guarantees on religious freedom and minority rights. He appealed to people to participate in a September 17 protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari criticised the BJP, alleging that the UCC was being used to divert attention from economic and social issues.