Omar Abdullah Challenges BJP to Bring UCC to Parliament

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah challenged the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday to introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in Parliament rather than implementing it through individual states. The challenge follows an announcement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah that BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments in 21 to 22 states intend to introduce the UCC before 2029.

Abdullah argued that a law intended to be universal cannot be achieved through a backdoor route in only BJP-ruled states, asserting that legislation of such national significance requires parliamentary debate and consensus. He noted that some NDA allies have previously opposed the move.

In Bihar, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary stated that the Janata Dal (United) will not oppose the UCC if its provisions are unexceptionable. This position creates a complex dynamic within the state, as the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal has vowed to block the UCC to protect Muslim interests. Chaudhary's stance also contrasts with previous indications from party supremo Nitish Kumar, who supported the Bill in Parliament but opposed its implementation within Bihar.