Amit Shah Sets 2029 Deadline for UCC in 21 States

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented across all 21 states governed by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) before 2029. Speaking in Mumbai, Shah stated the UCC aims to establish common personal laws for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption regardless of religion, citing the abolition of triple talaq as a precursor to granting equal rights to Muslim women.

While Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam have already passed UCC bills, other states are progressing; Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the state will implement the code following a committee report. The announcement was paired with the launch of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, a month-long campaign starting September 17 to commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years of public service.

The initiative has sparked significant political friction. Within the NDA, Janata Dal (United) officials in Bihar declared the code would not be implemented there at any cost, while Union Minister Chirag Paswan demanded the draft be made public for stakeholder and tribal protection consultations. Opposition leaders from the Congress and AIMIM, including Asaduddin Owaisi, criticized the move as a target against Muslims and a diversion from economic issues.

Supporters, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad and BJP leaders, described the UCC as a constitutional duty and a milestone for gender equality. In response, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board called for a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on September 17 to defend religious freedom.