BJP to Implement Uniform Civil Code in All States, Says Amit Shah

New Delhi, December 18, 2024 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Tuesday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will push for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across all states in India, following the party’s success in introducing it in Uttarakhand earlier this year. Shah made the statement while addressing a gathering of party workers in New Delhi.

The BJP’s move to introduce the UCC in Uttarakhand, which was passed into law in November 2024, has drawn national attention for its potential to reshape personal laws related to marriage, inheritance, and adoption, making them uniform for all citizens, regardless of religion, caste, or gender.

“We have already implemented the UCC in Uttarakhand, and now we will ensure that this progressive step is taken in every state under BJP governance,” Shah declared. “The UCC is a crucial step towards ensuring equality and justice for all citizens, and the BJP is committed to its widespread implementation.”

The Home Minister’s comments come amid rising political discourse over the UCC, with proponents arguing it will promote national unity and end discrimination, while critics claim it threatens religious diversity and personal freedoms.

The BJP’s push for a Uniform Civil Code is in line with the party’s long-standing ideological agenda, championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has expressed support for the initiative in various speeches. The implementation of the UCC in Uttarakhand is seen as a significant test case for the policy before it is rolled out nationwide.

While BJP leaders have hailed the Uttarakhand move as a triumph for social justice, opposition parties, including the Congress and regional parties, have raised concerns, arguing that such a measure could alienate minority communities and infringe upon their constitutional rights to religious freedom.

As the debate intensifies, Shah emphasized that the UCC is part of the BJP’s broader vision for an inclusive and unified India. “We believe that the UCC will not only ensure equality before the law but also promote the idea of ‘One Nation, One Law,'” he added.

The UCC issue is expected to dominate political discussions in the lead-up to state elections in 2025, with the BJP likely to make it a key plank of its campaign.