UCC will be introduced in 21 BJP, ally-ruled states before 2029, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that governments led by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its National Democratic Alliance partners in all 21 states would introduce the Uniform Civil Code before 2029.

The next Lok Sabha elections are scheduled for 2029.

“We have introduced the Uniform Civil Code in several states and I am confident that in the 21 BJP-NDA ruled states, we will introduce the UCC before 2029,” Shah said, while speaking about the Union government’s achievements over the past 12 years.

The Uniform Civil Code aims to introduce a common set of laws governing marriage, divorce, succession and adoption for all citizens. Currently, such personal affairs of different religions are based on community-specific laws, largely derived from religious scripture.

Introducing a common personal law has for long been on the BJP’s agenda and several states ruled by the party have been making advances towards implementing it.

In January 2025, Uttarakhand became the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code after Independence when it brought the code into force. Gujarat, Assam and Madhya Pradesh have passed similar legislations but are awaiting presidential assent and notification, Hindustan Times reported.

The Maharashtra, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh governments have formed committees to draft Uniform Civil Codes. The Rajasthan Cabinet also approved a bill to introduce such a legislation in August.

A common civil code has been in place in Goa since the Portuguese Civil...

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