UCC Next In Bihar? Amit Shah's Push Puts NDA Alliance To Test As JDU Seeks Talks Amid Differing Voices

Janta Dal United working president Sanjay Jha on Monday said that he would soon meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) implementation in Bihar.

Responding to news agency PTI over Shah's assertion, Jha said, "We will soon meet Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the issue."

Notably, Shah on Sunday said that he remains confident of getting the bill implemented in 21 NDA-ruled states before 2029. Shah said this while addressing a press conference about Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, a campaign to mark the completion of PM Narendra Modi's 25 years in service from his birthday, September 17.

"Triple talaq has been abolished, giving Muslim women equal rights. We have introduced UCC in several states, and I am confident that in the 21 BJP-NDA ruled states, we will introduce the UCC before 2029," the Home Minister had said.

Bihar tough test for BJP's UCC plan

Jha's remarks have sparked speculations that the BJP-led NDA government in Bihar might bring the legislation in the Assembly soon. However, Jha didn't clarify whether his party was fully in support of the UCC, as implemented in other states, or there is still more to discuss on the issue.

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Unlike the BJP, JDU's politics revolves around the vote bank that includes Muslims and the leading Muslim organisations and religious bodies like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind have strongly opposed the legislation.

Hence, JDU's approach to the issue has always remained cautious. The party never opposed the UCC but emphasised the need to respect the 'unity in diversity.'

After Amit Shah's remarks, JDU leader and former minister Shyam Rajak rejected the idea of implementing the UCC in the state.

Speaking to news agency ANI, he stated that the party supported the Bill in Parliament but never supported its implementation in Bihar.

"When this bill came to Parliament, our leader (Nitish Kumar) had clearly said that he supports the bill but will not allow it to be implemented in his state. We stand by that."

The UCC test for the BJP may get more complicated as it is not only the JDU but other coalition partners like LJP-Ram Vilas, HAM and others that need to be taken into confidence.

However, the BJP is apparently confident of getting the bill through the Assembly, once introduced. Speaking about Amit Shah's assertion and Shyam Rajak's objection, BJP leader Danish Iqbal claimed consensus.

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"I am not aware of Shyam Rajak ji's statement, but the NDA is completely unanimous on the issue of the Uniform Civil Code. All our NDA alliance partners have already demonstrated solidarity on this matter. Moving forward, whenever this issue arises, the UCC will be implemented only after mutual consultation and dialogue with all constituent parties of the NDA—be it Nitish Kumar, Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi, or Upendra Kushwaha. There is absolutely no conflict regarding this; the NDA implements any policy only through mutual dialogue and coordination," he said.