Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, sharply criticised the proposed rollout of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across all 21 states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), raising a pointed constitutional challenge: whether India would be governed by its Constitution or by the “ideological agenda of a political party.”

The Trigger: Shah’s 2029 Deadline

The statement comes in direct response to an announcement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 13 September, who declared that the UCC would be implemented across all 21 NDA-ruled states before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Shah noted that the code had already been introduced in several states and expressed confidence about the timeline. The announcement drew support from NDA constituents while attracting sharp criticism from Opposition parties and several Muslim organisations.

Madani’s Constitutional Argument

Maulana Madani framed his opposition in constitutional terms, calling the UCC expansion a “deliberate attempt to undermine the supremacy” of the Constitution and the “religious freedoms” guaranteed to citizens. “The Home Minister’s announcement that the Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in all 21 NDA-ruled states before 2029 raises a fundamental question: Will the country be governed by the Constitution or by the ideological agenda of a political party?” he said.

He specifically invoked Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, which protect the right to freely profess, practise, and propagate religion. Drawing a comparison with Scheduled Tribes, who are exempted from UCC provisions under constitutional provisions, Madani questioned why similar protections could not be extended to religious minorities. “Why this discrimination in the name of a Uniform Civil Code?” he asked.

On Islamic Personal Law and the Sharia Question

Maulana Madani argued that Muslim personal laws are not human-made statutes but derive their authority from the Quran and Hadith, making them non-negotiable in his view. “We cannot accept any law that is against Sharia. Muslims can compromise on everything, but they can never compromise on their religion and faith,” he said. He further contended that those who do not wish to be governed by religious personal law already have access to civil law alternatives, questioning the need for a mandatory common code.

Jamiat’s Legal Battle in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand became the first state to pass and fully enforce UCC-related legislation, and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has challenged this law in the Uttarakhand High Court. Madani confirmed that six hearings have taken place so far, with senior advocate Kapil Sibal and other lawyers appearing on the organisation’s behalf. “Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind wants to uphold the country’s secular Constitution, democracy, and the rule of law,” he said, adding that the organisation “hopes to receive justice.”

The Broader Debate on ‘One Country, One Law’

Madani also challenged the government’s “one country, one law” framing by pointing to existing legal variations across states — including state-level differences in criminal law enforcement and the non-uniformity of cow slaughter laws. Notably, he also reiterated Jamiat’s longstanding demand for the cow to be granted national animal status as a separate measure for its protection. Critics argue this exposes a tension in the “one nation, one law” principle, since legal uniformity is already selectively applied across India’s federal structure.

The UCC, which seeks to establish a common framework governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption regardless of religion, remains one of the most contested policy debates in contemporary Indian politics. With the 2029 election deadline now publicly stated, the legal and political battle over its nationwide rollout is set to intensify.