Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the tone for the 2024 elections by announcing that country needed a uniform civil code to bring uniformity in personal laws. His pronouncement left no ambiguity that the ruling party would like it to be taken to logical conclusion, as it is the only remaining key ideological promise in BJP’s manifesto.
The party has lined up a series of organisational meetings next week to prepare for the 2024 elections, strengthen state units and discuss plans when to bring the uniform civil code. The BJP will aim to reach out to all communities-- like Muslims, Tribals, and Christians--who are likely to be impacted by the uniform law.
The Law Commission has given time till July 14 to provide suggestions on UCC. The commission would then take some time to come out with a report. Simultaneously, the parliamentary committee will begin consultations on the code. The Uttarakhand government-appointed panel will also come with a report on the UCC in the next few days. With the monsoon session set to begin in the new parliament building from July 20, will the government race against time to bring in draft UCC law is yet to be seen. The government had introduced a bill to repeal Article 370 on August 5, and even the foundation stone of the Ram Temple was laid on the same date, a year later. A BJP leader set off the speculation, with a tweet, saying the bill may come on August 5.
The Uttarakhand panel report is likely to throw light on changes the state government is promising to bring under the UCC. There have been suggestions for setting marriageable age for girls, child policy norms, and live-in relationship rules.
A lot will depend on how the government navigates the tricky issue of personal laws for different communities as voices of opposition have already started emerging from Muslims and Sikhs. Former BJP ally has expressed his opposition to the proposed code.
The party had promised to bring UCC during the elections in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka. But the announcement had little impact in Himachal and Karnataka as the party lost elections in both states.
However, the immediate impact of Prime Minister’s statement has been that it has brought a new issue before the nation to debate, depriving the Opposition parties of trying to build a common narrative. Two of the parties, AAP and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) that participated in the Patna meeting, have expressed support for the UCC. The Opposition parties will be forced to come out with a stance during their next meeting, in Bengaluru, ahead of the parliament session. Any polarising debate around it is likely to help the BJP. But anti-CAA like protests is what it would have to guard against.