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21 NDA states set for possible Uniform Civil Code expansion before polls. (Img: Google)
Mumbai: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Shah said the government has already introduced UCC-related laws in several states and expressed confidence that the remaining NDA-ruled states will also adopt the common legal framework before the next general election.
The announcement has brought the Uniform Civil Code debate back to the centre of national politics, with political parties, legal experts and citizens closely watching how the proposed expansion could impact personal laws across India.
The UCC aims to create a common set of civil rules for matters including marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession and adoption, regardless of religious identity.
The Uniform Civil Code has remained one of Indias most debated legal and political issues for decades. Supporters of the UCC argue that a common civil framework can promote equality, gender justice and uniform legal rights for all citizens. They believe similar laws for personal matters can reduce legal differences between communities and strengthen the principle of equality before law.
However, critics have raised concerns over religious freedom, cultural diversity and the impact of replacing existing personal laws. With the 2029 Lok Sabha elections approaching, the UCC debate is expected to become a key issue in Indias political landscape.
Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to introduce a comprehensive Uniform Civil Code framework. After Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam moved ahead with UCC-related legislation. Assam became the first northeastern state to pass a UCC Bill.
Several BJP and NDA-ruled states have also started discussions, formed committees or begun preparations for drafting similar laws. The expansion of UCC across multiple states could become one of the biggest legislative and political developments before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
The Uniform Civil Code is linked with Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, which directs the state to work towards securing a common civil law for citizens. If implemented, UCC could bring changes in areas such as marriage registration, divorce procedures, inheritance rights, adoption rules and succession laws.
The government has maintained that the objective is to ensure equal legal treatment and create a common framework for all citizens. At the same time, implementing UCC across different states involves legal challenges, constitutional discussions and social considerations.
During the Mumbai press conference, Amit Shah also highlighted the governments achievements in national security, governance and legal reforms. He said surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindoor reflected Indias zero tolerance policy against terrorism.
Shah also spoke about Jammu and Kashmir developments, including the removal of Articles 370 and 35A, and highlighted government efforts to address internal security challenges. He referred to the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and said criminal justice reforms had strengthened the legal system.
Shah highlighted the abolition of triple talaq as a major reform aimed at providing equal rights to Muslim women. He also discussed government action against left-wing extremism and said security operations along with development initiatives had reduced the impact of Naxalism. The Home Minister said several peace agreements in the Northeast had helped improve stability and encouraged development in the region.
On the National Register of Citizens issue in Manipur, Amit Shah said discussions were continuing with alliance partners and political parties before taking a final decision.
He said the government would announce its decision after completing consultations. On illegal immigration, Shah reiterated the governments position that illegal infiltrators would be identified and removed from the country. He said the details of the identification process would not be disclosed as it could affect enforcement operations.
Responding to questions about protests against the government, Amit Shah said India is a democracy where citizens have the right to express their views.
He said the government respects democratic rights and rejected comparisons with the Emergency period. The statement comes amid wider discussions around political protests, public movements and democratic participation in India.
Amit Shah also announced the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, a month-long nationwide campaign from September 17 to October 17 to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modis 25 years in public service. The campaign will involve BJP workers, NDA partners, voluntary organisations and citizens across states, districts, Lok Sabha constituencies and Assembly areas.
The initiative will highlight Modis political journey from Gujarat Chief Minister to Prime Minister and showcase government schemes, development projects and the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the campaign would focus on public welfare programmes and grassroots outreach.
The proposed UCC expansion across NDA-ruled states could become one of the biggest political issues before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The debate is expected to influence discussions around equality, identity, governance reforms and the role of state governments in implementing social laws.
As more states consider moving towards a common civil law framework, UCC is likely to remain a major topic in Indias political and legal discussions.
The next phase will depend on how individual NDA states draft, pass and implement their respective Uniform Civil Code laws. The government will have to address legal challenges, political opposition and concerns from different sections of society. With the 2029 election cycle approaching, the UCC debate is expected to remain at the centre of national politics.
