Patna: Following Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would be implemented in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led NDA, the JD(U) said that it will discuss the provisions with the Home Minister, with some sections of the party sounding reluctant with its enactment in Bihar.
Addressing reporters in Patna, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and senior JD(U) leader Vijay Kumar said: “The provisions of the UCC Bill have not yet been made public. First, we will see in what form the UCC Bill is introduced and study its provisions. Second, our working national president has already said that after examining the provisions, we will discuss the matter directly with the Home Minister.”
“After that, our party will hold a meeting and take a decision. So, let the draft of the Bill come first. It will be discussed within the party as well as with our alliance partners…If there are any concerns regarding the UCC, we will directly discuss them with the Home Minister,” he stated.
Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary referred to UCC as a “somewhat sensitive issue”.
“We will discuss it thoroughly, including how the people concerned will be protected…As our National President has said, we will speak to the Home Minister and decide accordingly,” he told IANS.
However, JD(U) MP Kaushalendra Kumar said that the party will stick to former Chief Minister and party supremo Nitish Kumar’s decision on UCC’s implementation.
“We are with the BJP at the Centre, but when it comes to the state, we will have to think about it,” he told reporters.
He further said: “The Chief Minister (Samrat Choudhary) is from the BJP but it is not like he doesn’t think about Bihar. He will agree with our decision…We will abide by whatever Nitish Kumar ji had decided for the state.”
Meanwhile, Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi maintained that all stakeholders will be consulted before the implementation of the UCC.
“The UCC has been passed in several states and has also been implemented in some places. In the Lok Sabha, the UCC was passed with the support of all constituent parties. The Home Minister has said that the BJP will implement it in all NDA-ruled states. Discussions will be held and everyone will be consulted on this,” he told IANS.
(IANS)
