Three NDA allies-the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM)-have said they support the UCC. The JDU, however, said it would not allow the UCC to be implemented in Bihar.
Home Minister Amit Shah had said on 13 September that the UCC would be implemented in the 21 states governed by the BJP-NDA before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. At present, the NDA is in power in 22 states across the country.
The UCC has already been in force in Uttarakhand since January 2025. This means the target is to implement it in the remaining 21 states.
The proposal to implement the UCC has already been passed by the legislative assemblies of Gujarat, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh. The states are now awaiting the President’s approval and the issuance of notifications.
Maharashtra, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh have formed committees to draft UCC legislation.
TDP will support UCC
TDP leader in the Lok Sabha, Lavu Krishna Devarayulu, said the party will support the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). He said all stakeholders will be consulted before its implementation. No discussion has been held on the issue so far.
TDP and JD(U) had earlier opposed legislation related to the UCC. Before TDP joined the NDA after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Chandrababu Naidu had said the party would stand with the Muslim community on the issue.
‘Supports it nationally, but will not allow it in Bihar’, says JD(U)
JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak said the party supports the UCC at the national level but will not allow its implementation in Bihar. He said the party stands by its position.
West Bengal BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya said the process of implementing the UCC in the state would begin soon. However, BJP ally NCPI has not taken a decision yet and said it will discuss the issue after a proposal is introduced.
Shiv Sena and HAM also support UCC
Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde backed the UCC, calling it a matter of equality, justice and national unity. HAM president Santosh Kumar Suman also welcomed Amit Shah’s statement and expressed support for the UCC.
Keralam Muslim body opposes UCC
Kerala Muslim organisation Samasta Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama is also opposing the UCC. Its president, Mohammed Jifri, said not only Muslims but also people of other religions, including Christians, Buddhists and Jains, may not accept the UCC.
He said marriage, divorce and inheritance among Muslims are part of their religion, with specific rules and regulations that must be followed.
Questions and answers related to UCC…
Q: Will UCC apply to all religions? A: Its aim is to implement a common civil law for all citizens. However, under the Constitution, Scheduled Tribes may receive special exemptions.
Q: Will religious customs and rituals come to an end? A: UCC is primarily concerned with civil matters. It will not directly affect matters related to religious worship practices or faith.
Q: How will the law come into effect in any given state? A: The bill will come into force only after being passed by the state assembly, receiving the governor’s approval, and being formally notified.
