Patna: Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s push to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in 21 NDA-ruled states has triggered a visible split within Bihar’s ruling alliance, with the Janata Dal (United) declaring it will not let the code be enforced in the state.
The Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) said on Monday it would block the UCC from being applied in Bihar, even though it had backed the Bill when it was moved in Parliament.
Former state minister and JD(U) national general secretary Shyam Rajak said, “When the UCC was being introduced in the parliament, we supported it, but our leader Nitish Kumar had made it clear that it would not be implemented in Bihar.”
He said the party continued to stand by Nitish Kumar’s position on the issue, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Rajak pointed out that the Bihar government was functioning as a coalition even with BJP leader Samrat Choudhary serving as chief minister.
“We will not allow UCC to be implemented in the state,” he told the media.
Reacting to the issue, NDA constituent LJP (Ram Vilas) chief and Union Minister Chirag Paswan said India’s social fabric is diverse and any move on the UCC must follow wide consultations. He asked that the draft be made public, stakeholders’ interests be assessed and extensive discussions held before his party takes a stand.
Hindustan Awami Morcha (HAM) president and Bihar minister Santosh Kumar Suman, however, said the UCC should be implemented only after consultation with all allies in the coalition. HAM is an NDA ally in both Bihar and at the Centre.
Shah announced the plan at a BJP event in Mumbai, highlighting the NDA’s 12-year rule and the party’s 25-year journey under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The RJD attacked the move, with Tejashwi Prasad Yadav earlier accusing the BJP of using the UCC to push its political agenda and weaken the Constitution.
RJD spokesperson Ezaz Ahmad asked JD(U), LJP (RV), HAM and RLM to clarify whether they support the BJP’s agenda or the Constitution framed by B R Ambedkar, which ensures equal rights for all religions.