By 2029, 21 NDA-ruled states will have Uniform Civil Code: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he was confident that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would be implemented in all 21 NDA-ruled states before 2029. Shah said the UCC had already been introduced in several states and would be expanded to all NDA-ruled states before the next Lok Sabha election.

In Short

• Home Minister stresses zero tolerance on terrorism via surgical and air strikes
• Says India shifted to performance politics, growth leads major economies
• Announces Seva Sankalp Abhiyan to celebrate PM Modi's 25 years in public service

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which seeks to establish a common set of personal laws governing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption irrespective of religion, would be implemented in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led NDA before 2029.

"We introduced the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in several states. I am confident that we will implement the UCC in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led NDA before 2029," Shah said at a press conference in Mumbai.

Shah also highlighted the government's security policy, saying surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindoor had established a "zero tolerance" approach towards terrorism, while security had been prioritised across sectors.

'POLITICS OF PERFORMANCE' SINCE 2014

Shah said India had moved from what he described as an era of corruption, casteism and dynastic politics before 2014 to "performance-based politics" under the BJP-led government. He said India's foreign and defence policies had acquired a "strong backbone", with "India First" guiding the government's approach and national interests being given priority.

Shah also cited India's economic growth, saying the country had moved from being counted among the "Fragile Five" economies to the top five. He pointed to first-quarter GDP growth of 7.8%, saying India was leading the major economies.

He also highlighted the government's handling of Article 370, Naxalism and the situation in the Northeast, describing them as long-standing challenges that had threatened India's internal security for decades.

NRC DISCUSSIONS UNDERWAY IN MANIPUR

Asked whether the National Register of Citizens (NRC) would be implemented in Manipur using the 1951 baseline before the state elections, and whether there was a deadline for a nationwide NRC, Shah said discussions were underway with colleagues and political parties in Manipur. "As soon as any decision is taken, we will inform you," he said.

On illegal immigration, Shah reiterated the government's position that illegal migrants would be identified and removed from the country, while details of the methodology being considered would not be disclosed.

On debates over language, Shah said the mother tongue should be given preference and that state leadership would find a solution to the issue, accusing some people of attempting to instigate divisions.

Shah also reiterated the government's resolve to identify and remove all illegal infiltrators from the country. "We will identify and remove every single illegal infiltrator from this country," Shah said while addressing a press conference in Mumbai.

'WE RESPECT THE RIGHT TO PROTEST'

Responding to a question about Cockroach Janta Party and other protests against the government, Shah said India was a democracy and that the right to protest was respected. "We can't bring Emergency. That's Congress mindset," he said.

Asked about China and sensitive geopolitical developments, Shah declined to comment publicly on strategic matters, saying such discussions would not benefit the armed forces. He said people had full confidence in the government's defence capabilities.

MONTH-LONG SEVA SANKALP ABHIYAN FROM SEPTEMBER 17

Shah also announced a month-long nationwide "Seva Sankalp Abhiyan" from September 17 to October 17 to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years of public service.

The campaign will begin on September 17, Modi's birthday, and will involve the BJP, NDA partners, voluntary organisations and people across the country. It will be taken to every state and Union Territory, district, Lok Sabha and Assembly constituency, and down to the polling-booth level.

Shah said the campaign would highlight PM Modi's 25-year journey in public life, his achievements and his vision of building a "Viksit Bharat" by 2047.

He described Modi as the "Pradhan Sevak" who had worked to resolve several long-pending issues since becoming Prime Minister in 2014. Shah said very few leaders had completed 25 continuous years as head of a government, from serving as Gujarat Chief Minister to becoming Prime Minister.

The campaign will include 12 categories of programmes and several other initiatives at the booth, tehsil and district levels. Musical and theatrical performances in local languages under the banner "Untold Stories of NaMo Seva" will also be taken to villages across the country.

FADNAVIS SAYS CAMPAIGN WILL FOCUS ON PUBLIC WELFARE

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state government and the BJP would jointly participate in the "Seva Sankalp Abhiyan".

He said Modi's 25 years of public service represented a record and that his 12 years as Prime Minister had been marked by India's progress.

"All NDA partners are with us for this campaign in Maharashtra," Fadnavis said, adding that the initiative was aimed at bringing changes to the lives of ordinary people.

- Ends