In Bihar, a wall has come between BJP and JDU over the Common Civil Code (UCC). Actually, after Uttarakhand, BJP is preparing to implement UCC in Uttar Pradesh as well. For this, the BJP is creating an atmosphere regarding the Common Civil Code in the states where their government is in power. In other BJP ruled states including Bihar, the demand for this from BJP is increasing.
The demand for implementation of UCC in the state came a day after CM Nitish Kumar attended an Iftar party organized by Tejashwi Yadav of main opposition RJD. On the very next day of Iftar party, former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Sushil Kumar Modi said at a program in Jagdishpur in Bhojpur district that Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced plans to implement UCC in BJP-ruled states. Responding to this announcement, JDU has made its stand clear regarding this. Upendra Kushwaha, the Legislative Councilor cum President of the party’s Parliamentary Party, said that there is no need for Uniform Civil Code in Bihar.
He said that Uniform Civil Code will not be applicable in Bihar. People of different religions live in the country. The arrangement that is in place now is fine. In an informal conversation with reporters on Sunday, the JDU leader said that there is an NDA government in Bihar. Everyone knows that JDU’s opinion is different from BJP’s on many issues. As long as Nitish Kumar is the Chief Minister of Bihar, the question of implementing the Common Civil Code in the state does not arise. On the question of what is the problem with the Common Civil Code, the JDU leader said that what is the need of it.
However, state government minister and BJP leader Jivesh Mishra said, “The Constitution of the country has given equal rights to all. It is written on the very first page of the constitution that all are one. So let everyone remain the same. There is no need to divide people on the basis of caste and community. This is an insult to the constitution. In such a situation, it is a good thing that there should be one law for all. Bihar itself, should this law be implemented across the country.
He further said, ‘What do the JDU leaders say, what do we mean by this. The chief minister belongs to the NDA and we will ask him to consider it. The Chief Minister himself considers the issue of state interest. The decisions of the state interest will be taken by the Chief Minister himself. This is what we believe.
At the same time, Revenue Minister Ram Surat Rai said that what Amit Shah said is the rule for the whole country. Wherever there is a BJP government, this rule should be applicable. At the same time, I appeal to the opposition also to consider in this regard. This is because the country and the state are governed by the law. This policy has been made in the interest of the country, so it should be implemented in the whole country. We will also appeal to the Chief Minister, he should implement it.
In January 2017, while in the government of the Grand Alliance, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had cleared the stand of JDU. In a letter to Law Commission Chairman Dr BS Chauhan, Nitish Kumar had said that instead of imposing Uniform Civil Code, everyone’s consent is necessary. Discussion with groups of different religions, especially those from minority communities, is necessary because the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion is essential.