Rajasthan Civil Code 2026: CM Bhajanlal Sharma invokes Article 44 at Independence Day address
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on 15 August 2025 announced that his government is actively working to introduce the Rajasthan Civil Code-2026, framing the proposed legislation as a fulfilment of the constitutional mandate under Article 44, which directs states to work towards a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens. The announcement came during the 80th Independence Day state-level ceremony at Karni Singh Stadium in Bikaner, where Sharma hoisted the National Flag.
What the Rajasthan Civil Code Proposes
Sharma said the proposed code would establish a uniform legal framework applicable to all citizens of Rajasthan, regardless of religion or community. The move positions Rajasthan as one of the few states to pursue a state-level civil code, following Uttarakhand's earlier attempt at similar legislation. The Chief Minister did not specify a tabling date in the state legislature but indicated that the drafting process is underway in alignment with constitutional provisions.
Security Laws and Zero-Tolerance Policy
Sharma also highlighted two pieces of legislation his government has enacted or invoked on the security front. The Rajasthan Disturbed Areas Act, he said, is designed to prevent forced migration and coerced property transactions in communally sensitive zones, ensuring residents are not displaced from their homes or ancestral land. Separately, the Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act targets conversions carried out through inducement or fraud. The Chief Minister said the government's zero-tolerance stance on crime and corruption has contributed to a measurable decline in criminal incidents across the state.
Infrastructure and Economic Growth Drivers
On the development front, Sharma pointed to two flagship projects as anchors of Rajasthan's economic future. The HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Project at Pachpadra, valued at ₹79,459 crore, and the Mahi-Banswara Nuclear Power Project were cited as transformative investments. He credited the 'double-engine' government — a reference to aligned BJP administrations at the Centre and in the state — for accelerating these initiatives. Sharma also noted that India's growing global stature under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly its digital public infrastructure and UPI platform, is creating a favourable environment for state-level growth ambitions.
Water Security: Two Major Projects
Describing water as the foundation of Rajasthan's life, economy, and future, Sharma said water security has been made a government priority. The Ram Jal Setu Link Project, estimated at approximately ₹91,000 crore, is being implemented at pace, with work orders worth around ₹26,000 crore already issued. The project is expected to deliver drinking water and irrigation to people across 17 districts. Additionally, a Memorandum of Agreement worth approximately ₹34,000 crore has been signed to channel Yamuna river water into Rajasthan, which would provide long-term drinking water security to an estimated 75 lakh people in the Shekhawati region.
Energy: From Power Buyer to Power Supplier
Sharma said Rajasthan has undergone a structural shift in its energy profile, transitioning from a power-purchasing state to a power-supplying state. According to the Chief Minister, Rajasthan now ranks first nationally in solar power capacity and second in renewable energy capacity overall. The state also tops the country in PM-KUSUM Components A and C, a scheme supporting solar pumps and grid-connected solar plants for farmers. The Independence Day event in Bikaner was accompanied by cultural performances by folk artists and schoolchildren from across Rajasthan and other states, reflecting India's cultural diversity.
Sharma concluded by reiterating his government's commitment to the twin goals of a Developed Rajasthan and a Developed India by 2047, with security, water availability, energy infrastructure, and economic growth as the four pillars of that vision.