Uniform Civil Code: Four BJP-ruled states which have confirmed setting up UCC committee

The method of success for the Bhartiya Janta Party over the couple of years has been straightforward; stand and deliver. The successful abrogation of Article 370 and the peaceful solution to the decade-long Ayodhya dispute, ensuring the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has helped the saffron party to gain enormous success in the recent past, in terms of electoral votes.

With fulfillment of the two most highly-anticipated promises, many political experts believe that Uniform Civil Code is the next big thing in BJP’s arsenal, in the build of Lok Sabha 2024 elections.

Meanwhile, a couple of BJP states have already announced their decisions to form a committee to look into the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. So let’s look at four BJP-ruled states which have confirmed to set up UCC committee.

Madhya Pradesh:

Shivraj Singh Chauhan-led government is the latest one to join the queue as the chief minister himself announced the crucial decision to set up a committee, which will brainstorm over the implementation of Uniform Civil Code in the state, while addressing a rally in the Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh. “Ek Desh me do vidhaan kyun chaley, ek hi hone chahiye (why should there be two laws in one country; there should be only one),” Mr Chouhan said.

Gujarat:

While Gujarat is already amid assembly elections, state home minister Harsh Sanghavi recently announced the decision to form a committee to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state.

“From the day of our youth, we have been making demands, for Ram Janmabhoomi, for abrogation of Article 370, for UCC… I want to congratulate and express my gratitude to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. He has taken the next step towards fulfilling an old demand of the BJP,” Union Minister Parshottam Rupala said while addressing a press conference in Gandhinagar.

Himachal Pradesh:

BJP, in its ‘Sankalp Patra (manifesto), has categorically vowed the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in Himachal Pradesh and announced that a committee would be formed for the UCC, as well.

“It’s very important. BJP is a national party, and we feel it is the need of the hour. There are technical aspects, but a committee will be constituted. We will go ahead on the path that will come out. Implementing USS is our commitment, and we will do it,” Jai Ram Thakur said.

Uttarakhand:

The expert committee constituted by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami became the first state in the country to constitute a committee to examine various issues relating to the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand.

The committee has invited suggestions from the residents and state-based organisations, including government agencies, non-government organisations, social groups and communities, religious bodies and political parties.

Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Prakash Desai, the committee’s chairperson, also launched a web portal (www.ucc.uk.gov.in) through which the residents of Uttarakhand and other stakeholders can directly upload their suggestions.