New Delhi, 18 December 2024—Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed the BJP’s commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across all states, accusing the Congress of pursuing appeasement politics and neglecting the backward classes.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during a debate on the “Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India,” Shah underscored the Uttarakhand BJP government’s recent introduction of the UCC.
“We are determined to gradually extend this to all states,” Shah stated, underscoring the BJP’s stance on unified legal frameworks.
Shah criticized the Congress for allegedly breaching constitutional limits with its promise to increase reservations for backward classes, claiming it sought to introduce religion-based quotas. “The BJP will oppose religion-based reservation tooth and nail,” he asserted.
Referring to past initiatives, Shah accused the Congress of delaying or disregarding key reports on social justice.
“The Kaka Kalelkar Commission report on backward classes, submitted in 1955, never reached the Cabinet under Congress leadership. Similarly, the Mandal Commission report recommending OBC reservation was stalled until the VP Singh government implemented it,” Shah said.
He further alleged that former Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi had opposed the Mandal Commission recommendations in a parliamentary speech.
Targeting the Congress’ “appeasement policies,” Shah claimed these began with the introduction of separate personal laws for Muslims under Sharia while bypassing Sharia-based criminal laws.
“This selective application was a deliberate strategy to prioritize certain sections over others,” Shah remarked.
Addressing criticism of the BJP’s position on legal reforms, Shah clarified, “We have no interest in ancient Hindu codes or other historical frameworks. Our focus is on modern laws that address the needs of a contemporary society.”
Shah also accentuated the 39th Constitutional Amendment, passed during the Emergency in 1975 under Congress rule, which he described as a move to shield then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from judicial scrutiny over election-related allegations.
“The BJP stands for constitutional values that reflect equality and fairness,” Shah emphasized, reiterating the party’s goal of fostering justice and uniformity in governance.