UCC in Bihar? JD(U) says no, despite backing Bill in Parliament

JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak reiterated the party's opposition to implementing the Uniform Civil Code in Bihar, despite its support for the UCC Bill in Parliament. His remarks came after Amit Shah said the UCC would be implemented in 21 NDA-ruled states by 2029. The RJD also opposed the move.

In Short

• Shyam Rajak cited Nitish Kumar to reaffirm the party's earlier stand
• Amit Shah had said UCC would reach 21 NDA-ruled states by 2029
• Some JD(U) leaders stayed cautious while awaiting talks with Shah

Senior JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak on Monday said his party was against implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Bihar, even though it had "supported the UCC Bill" in Parliament. He said the party's position had already been made clear by former chief minister Nitish Kumar, whom he described as the party's supreme leader.

Rajak was responding to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement a day earlier that the UCC would be "implemented across 21 NDA-ruled states by 2029". His remarks also reflected unease within a section of the JD(U) over the proposed move, while the RJD accused the BJP of pursuing "politics of hate" and said it would oppose any step that could hurt Muslims.

Rajak, a former JD(U) national general secretary, said, "Our stand on the issue was made clear by our leader way back. He had said that although our party was supporting the UCC Bill in the Parliament, it was not in favour of implementing the same in Bihar."

When journalists pointed out that with Nitish Kumar having hung his boots and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary now the Chief Minister, the JD(U)'s stand might matter little, Rajak responded firmly. "The chief minister may be of the BJP but the government is being run with the help of allies... our stand is clear, the question of implementing UCC in Bihar does not arise," he said.

There are apprehensions that implementation of the UCC could annoy minorities, particularly Muslims, whom the JD(U) has been trying to court for years, though without much success because of its alliance with the BJP.

Rajak's remarks were also reflective of the sentiment in a section of the JD(U), on whose support the BJP depends to remain in power at the Centre as well as in the state, that the party should speak out against the proposed move which could hurt it electorally.

Many other JD(U) leaders, however, appeared wary of speaking on the contentious issue. State minister Shrawon Kumar, who leads the JD(U) legislature party in Bihar, said, "This is an issue on which our spokespersons shall speak. I would like to hear what they say, and then I will say more." JD(U) national spokesman Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said, "On the UCC issue, our national working president, Sanjay Kumar Jha will be holding talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This information has been shared by Jha himself".

The RJD, the main opposition party, alleged that the UCC signalled "politics of hate by the BJP" and would "hurt Muslims". Party spokesman Shakti Yadav said, "the BJP has of late faced many setbacks and, therefore, it is back to the politics of hate, its old trick in the book."

He added, "But the BJP must remember that this is Bihar where secularism flows in the veins of the people. The RJD will not take it lying down if any step is taken that could hurt Muslims. We will not let them implement the UCC in the state."

Overall, Rajak restated the JD(U)'s stand against implementing the UCC in Bihar, other party leaders responded cautiously, and the RJD stepped up its attack on the BJP after Shah's remarks.

- Ends