New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and push for “One Nation, One Election” within the next five years if re-elected in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Shah emphasized the party’s commitment to these significant reforms during an interview on Saturday.
Shah stated that the BJP has not engaged in religion-based campaigning but acknowledged that their positions on Muslim reservations, the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, and the proposed UCC might be perceived as such. He affirmed that the party will continue advocating for these issues.
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The UCC aims to standardize laws concerning marriage, divorce, inheritance, financial compensation, and adoption across all communities, a responsibility left by the makers of the Indian Constitution, Shah noted. Legal and social scrutiny of a recently enacted UCC law in BJP-ruled Uttarakhand is underway, with potential for adaptation based on public debate and judicial review.
Shah called for an extensive debate on the UCC, including consultations with religious leaders. He expressed confidence that a nationwide UCC could be established within the next five years, a goal outlined in the BJP’s manifesto.
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Regarding simultaneous elections, Shah reiterated the government’s intention to pursue “One Nation, One Election,” referencing the recommendations of a high-level panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The panel suggested synchronized elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies as the initial step.
Shah dismissed opposition claims of the BJP conducting a religion-based campaign, reiterating the party’s stance on key issues such as the abrogation of Article 370 and the implementation of the UCC. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also challenged the opposition to reject religion-based quotas, asserting his commitment to preventing any form of reservation based on religion.
The BJP’s focus on these reforms aims to bring about significant legal, social, and political changes in the country, contingent on their success in the ongoing elections.