AGARTALA, Sep 14 (TIWN): Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that all 21 states governed by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are expected to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) before 2029. Shah made the statement while speaking to reporters in Mumbai on Sunday.

According to Shah, the government has already introduced the UCC in several states and intends to extend the legislation across all BJP-NDA governed states during the current political cycle. He also highlighted the abolition of triple talaq, saying the move had provided Muslim women with equal rights.

The Uniform Civil Code seeks to establish a common set of personal laws governing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption, irrespective of religious affiliation. Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to implement a comprehensive UCC in 2025, while other BJP-ruled states have also been examining or preparing similar legislation.

Shah also addressed questions concerning the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur. Asked whether the 1951 baseline would be used to identify citizens, he said the Centre was holding discussions with allies and political parties and that the government would announce its decision after the consultations.

The Home Minister further spoke about security and development in the Northeast, claiming that the government had ended five decades of Maoism and signed more than 14 peace agreements in the region. He said over 9,000 people had surrendered and argued that the Northeast was now moving towards development.

On Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said the dilution of Articles 370 and 35A had been achieved without bloodshed and asserted that the region was now fully integrated with India. He also reiterated the government's policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, citing surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindoor.