Amit Shah’s Announced in Parliament that UCC to be Implemented in BJP-ruled States in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly expressed his support for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), and the BJP had made it a major electoral promise during the Jharkhand assembly elections. On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in Parliament that the Uniform Civil Code implemented in Uttarakhand is an ideal law and will be extended to all BJP-ruled states after thorough deliberation and debate.
Amit Shah’s Statement
Amit Shah accused the Congress of disrespecting the Constitution and promoting appeasement politics. Speaking during a debate in the Rajya Sabha on the 75th year of the Constitution, Shah compared the constitutional amendments introduced by Congress and the BJP. He alleged that Congress amended the Constitution for personal gain and power, while the BJP did so to strengthen democracy and ensure equal rights.
In his 85-minute speech, Shah stated:
“We work democratically. Uttarakhand has passed a law considered transformational in social life. After review by legal and religious experts, BJP governments will implement the Uniform Civil Code in all states.”
He also accused Congress of failing to honor reservation policies and attempting to breach the 50% ceiling on quotas. He claimed that Congress supported religion-based reservations and disrespected the Constitution.
What is the Uniform Civil Code?
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a proposed law that seeks to unify personal laws across all religions, covering matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and maintenance. The aim is to eliminate discrimination and ensure equality. It is one of BJP’s core ideological goals and was also included in the party’s manifesto for the 2022 assembly elections.
UCC in Uttarakhand
In February 2024, Uttarakhand passed a law to implement the Uniform Civil Code. The law grants equal rights to women in matters such as marriage, divorce, maintenance, and inheritance. It also prohibits polygamy, makes marriage registration mandatory, and requires self-declaration or registration for live-in relationships. However, the law has not been fully implemented yet.
Accusations Against Congress
Shah accused Congress of not taking a clear stance on Muslim Personal Law and fostering appeasement politics. He alleged that Congress treated the Constitution as the “personal property” of the Nehru-Gandhi family.
He further added that the BJP granted constitutional status to the OBC Commission and ensured reservations for OBC students in NEET and JEE. Shah also accused Congress of violating the Constitution and committing multiple mistakes during the Emergency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP have consistently advocated for a Uniform Civil Code and have made it a significant part of their electoral agenda.
