“How Will the Uniform Civil Code Be Implemented If Allies Aren’t Ready?” Omar Abdullah

In response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s claim that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in all 21 National Democratic Alliance (NDA) states before 2029, Ammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that important allies like the Janata Dal (United) are against the move and doubt the Center’s ability to pass the legislation in Parliament.

The National Conference (NC) leader questioned the civil code’s piecemeal state-by-state implementation in an interview with media in Srinagar on Tuesday, arguing that civil legislation is only the purview of the Union Parliament.

“In this regard, the National Conference has issued its statement. Our Rajya Sabha MP Shammi Oberoi has said that it is Parliament’s job to do this. Why are you doing it from different states? Not everyone in their NDA agrees with this. JDU has straight-up raised its hands and said it won’t be implemented in Bihar. If their own people aren’t ready for UCC, how can these people say that it should be implemented across the entire country? I don’t think these people will be able to pass it in Parliament,” Abdullah said.

Regarding diplomatic events, the Chief Minister praised the BRICS New Delhi Declaration‘s denunciation and mention of the Pahalgam terror assault, calling it a major victory for Indian foreign policy considering that Islamabad’s main international allies were there.

“That is something for the Government of India, and particularly for the Foreign Ministry, to talk about. The fact that Pahalgam itself was condemned is a big thing. Please see how many allies of Pakistan were in that room. Therefore, for even Pahalgam to be mentioned by name, that in itself is a success of our foreign policy,” Abdullah remarked.

The Chief Minister responded to the Ministry of Defence‘s report on the operational situation along the Northern Front by praising any military or diplomatic measures that reduce hostilities and reduce force deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the Line of Control (LoC).

“Anything that reduces tension along the Line of Control or the Line of Actual Control is a good step, particularly for those people who live close to it. We know that living near the LoC or LAC is extremely difficult for people. If there is any step that reduces deployments along the Line of Actual Control, that is a good step. Similarly, we hope that, over time, things will also get better along the Line of Control,” he added.

Amit Shah declared earlier on Sunday that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will enact the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in all 21 states by 2029. Speaking at a Mumbai event, the Home Minister also underlined how Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s leadership of decisive cross-border operations has fundamentally changed India’s national security stance.

“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. Operations such as the surgical strikes, air strikes, and Operation Sindoor have established a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, while security has been prioritised across various sectors,” Amit Shah said.