Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated that the BJP will consult with its allies before moving forward on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). He emphasized that the UCC is one of the three core promises the BJP inherited from its predecessor, the Jan Sangh. Meghwal noted that the party has already fulfilled the other two promises: the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution.
New Delhi: Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, in an interview marking the 100-day anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third consecutive government, stated that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented, and the BJP plans to consult its NDA allies to make it a reality.
Meghwal emphasized that the UCC is one of the three core promises inherited from the BJP’s predecessor, the Jan Sangh.
Mr. Meghwal told,
“We have fulfilled the other two promises the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir… The Law Commission is working on the Uniform Civil Code, but some states have already implemented it, such as Uttarakhand and Goa. Other states are also considering it,”
He further noted that the Prime Minister declared the intention from the Red Fort during his Independence Day speech, saying,
“We will talk to the allies and certainly take steps in this direction.”
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which seeks to replace the personal laws of different communities on matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption with a uniform legal framework for all citizens, faced strong opposition in its current form. Some NDA allies, including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, have aligned with the Opposition in calling for broader discussions and consensus before finalizing the law.
Both leaders emphasized the need for deliberation on the UCC, with their parties urging for a more inclusive process. The draft bill currently under review by a Parliamentary Standing Committee.
In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the current personal law system as “communal” and advocated for its replacement with a more secular version, stating that,
“It should be replaced by secular law.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked,
“Many people in the country and it is true believe that the Civil Code we currently follow is, in fact, a communal one.”
He emphasized the need for a Uniform Civil Code, stating,
“It is imperative that we establish a Secular Civil Code in the country… only then can we eliminate discrimination based on religion.”
The Supreme Court, in several judgments, has also advocated for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code.