Amit Shah Announces Plan to Implement Uniform Civil Code in 21 NDA-Ruled States by 2029

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Sunday, September 13, 2026, that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Speaking in Mumbai, Shah cited the abolition of triple talaq as an example of the government's effort to provide equal rights to Muslim women. Currently, four BJP-ruled states have passed UCC legislation: Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh. Uttarakhand is the only state where the code is currently in force. The legislation in these states generally covers marriage, divorce, succession, and the registration of live-in relationships.

The announcement has triggered internal friction within the NDA, particularly in Bihar. Janata Dal (United) MLA Shyam Rajak stated that the UCC will not be implemented in Bihar at any cost, noting that Nitish Kumar had previously maintained this position. In contrast, Santosh Kumar Suman of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) suggested that the UCC might be implemented if discussions with alliance leaders show no problems. Chirag Paswan, chief of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), called for the draft to be made public and for an assessment of stakeholder interests before his party states its position.

Opposition leaders have strongly criticized the move. AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi argued that the UCC is not about equality but is instead a tool for targeting Muslims and imposing Hindu law on non-Hindus. He cited a Law Commission finding that the UCC was neither necessary nor desirable. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) also alleged that the BJP intends to target a particular religion through the code.

Outlets with different political leanings framed the event differently. Center-left sources emphasized the rift within the ruling alliance and the potential infringement on religious freedoms. Center-right sources focused on the criticisms from Asaduddin Owaisi and the broader context of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Center sources provided a detailed analysis of the constitutional and political logic behind the state-by-state implementation strategy, noting that it allows the BJP to test models and manage local customs before attempting a national law.