Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a major announcement on Sunday, saying that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would be enforced in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) before 2029.

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Minister Shah said the UCC, whose aim is to establish a common framework of personal laws covering issues such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption irrespective of religion, had already been introduced in several states.

Shah remarked, “I am confident that we will implement the UCC in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led NDA before 2029.”

Shah pitches BJP’s record since 2014

Minister Shah also shed light on the government’s security and defence policies, saying surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindoor had demonstrated a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach towards terrorism. He added that national security had been prioritised across sectors.

He called the period since 2014 one of ‘performance-based politics,’ contrasting it with what he characterised as an earlier era dominated by corruption, casteism and dynastic politics.

He said India’s foreign and defence policies had acquired a ‘strong backbone,’ with ‘India First’ guiding the government’s approach and national interests assuming precedence.

Shah further pointed towards India’s economic performance, saying the country had moved from being counted among the ‘Fragile Five’ economies to the world’s top five. Citing first-quarter GDP growth of 7.8%, he said India was currently leading among major economies.

He then referred to Article 370, Naxalism and challenges in the Northeast as long-standing issues that had affected India’s internal security for decades.

NRC discussions underway in Manipur

Elaborating on the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, Shah said discussions were underway with colleagues and political parties in the state. Asked whether the NRC would be implemented using the 1951 baseline before the state elections, and whether there was a deadline for a nationwide NRC, he said the government would share details once a decision was reached.

Speaking on illegal immigration, Shah reiterated the government’s position that illegal immigrants would be first identified and then be removed from India, but said the methodology being considered would remain under the wraps.

Addressing the ongoing debate over language, Minister Shah said the mother tongue should be given preference and that state leadership would find a solution. He accused several people of trying to create divisions over the issue.

“We respect the right to protest”: Shah

Towards the end, Minister Shah responded to questions about the Cockroach Janta Party’s protests (CJP), as well as other protests against the government, saying India was a democracy and that the right to protest was respected.

He said, “We can't bring Emergency. That's Congress mindset.”