Ramdas Athawale backs UCC, demands 5-acre land for Rajasthan's landless poor
Synopsis
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale used a Jaipur visit to push two distinct agendas in one breath: backing the UCC as a Muslim welfare measure and demanding free five-acre land grants for Rajasthan's landless poor — while also declaring the NDA unbeatable in 2029 and announcing RPI's entry into Rajasthan's local body elections.
Key Takeaways
Ramdas Athawale backed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Jaipur on Monday , calling it a socio-economic uplift measure for Muslims, not a communal tool.
He urged the Rajasthan government to provide five acres of free agricultural land to every landless poor family, irrespective of caste or religion.
Athawale proposed forming an expert committee to identify beneficiaries and suggested large landowners voluntarily donate land, invoking the Bhoodan Movement .
He announced that the Republican Party of India (RPI) would contest Rajasthan Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections as an NDA ally, with seat-sharing talks planned with BJP State President Madan Rathore and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma .
Athawale expressed confidence in NDA winning a fourth consecutive term in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections under PM Narendra Modi .
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Monday voiced strong support for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during a visit to Jaipur, asserting it would uplift the socio-economic standing of Muslims rather than target them. In the same address, he called on the Rajasthan government to provide five acres of agricultural land free of cost to every landless poor family in the state, regardless of caste or community.
Athawale on the UCC
Speaking to reporters in Jaipur, Athawale argued that the UCC was a tool for social and economic development rather than a communally divisive measure. He went further, suggesting that neighbouring countries — Bangladesh and Pakistan — should also consider enacting similar legislation, and proposed that letters be sent to their respective Prime Ministers urging adoption of a Uniform Civil Code.
The minister expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would secure a fourth consecutive term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. 'PM Modi is physically fit and strong. He has contributed significantly to the country's development. The NDA will return to power for the fourth consecutive term in 2029,' Athawale said. He also claimed that opposition figures — including Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, and Akhilesh Yadav — would not be able to dislodge the ruling alliance.
Land Reform Demand for Rajasthan
On land policy, Athawale appealed to the Rajasthan government to launch a dedicated programme granting five acres of agricultural land to every eligible landless family. He recommended that the state first constitute an expert committee to identify beneficiaries through a thorough survey. Where government land falls short, he suggested the state should consider purchasing land for redistribution, and also appealed to large landowners to voluntarily donate land — drawing a parallel with the historic Bhoodan Movement.
'I will soon write to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma requesting that landless poor families in Rajasthan be provided five acres of land,' Athawale said. He added that his party, the Republican Party of India (RPI), would contest the upcoming Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections in Rajasthan as an NDA ally, with seat-sharing discussions planned with BJP State President Madan Rathore and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.
Remarks on Student Protests and Parliament Conduct
Commenting on recent student protests, Athawale said all movements must remain peaceful and constitutional. He alleged that opposition parties attempted to exploit the protests politically, claiming that Rahul Gandhi joined the demonstrations only after gauging that student sentiment could rebound against the opposition.
Athawale also criticised remarks made in Parliament, stating that the use of words such as 'Idiot' was inappropriate in legislative proceedings. He further pushed back against allegations directed at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, contending that such statements were aimed at tarnishing the minister's image rather than fostering substantive debate.
What Happens Next
Athawale's land reform appeal now awaits a formal response from the Rajasthan government, with the minister indicating he would write directly to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. On the electoral front, RPI's seat-sharing talks with the BJP in Rajasthan are expected to gather pace ahead of the Panchayat and Urban Local Body polls.
Point of View
A combination that signals the NDA's attempt to broaden its social coalition in Rajasthan ahead of local body elections. The land-for-the-poor appeal is notable: five acres per landless family is a substantial ask with no identified funding or land-bank mechanism, making it aspirational rather than actionable at this stage. His invocation of the Bhoodan Movement is rhetorically clever but historically strained — Vinoba Bhave's campaign relied on voluntary moral persuasion over decades, not state-driven redistribution. Whether Rajasthan's BJP government, which has its own fiscal constraints, will move on this remains the real question mainstream coverage is glossing over.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ramdas Athawale say about the Uniform Civil Code?
Athawale said the UCC is not directed against any community and would in fact improve the socio-economic condition of Muslims. He also suggested Bangladesh and Pakistan should consider similar legislation, proposing that letters be sent to their Prime Ministers.
What land reform did Athawale demand for Rajasthan?
Athawale appealed to the Rajasthan government to provide five acres of free agricultural land to every landless poor family, regardless of caste or religion. He recommended forming an expert committee to identify beneficiaries and suggested purchasing land if government land is insufficient.
What elections will the Republican Party of India contest in Rajasthan?
The RPI will contest the upcoming Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections in Rajasthan as an NDA ally. Athawale said seat-sharing discussions would be held with BJP State President Madan Rathore and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.
What did Athawale say about the 2029 Lok Sabha elections?
Athawale expressed confidence that the NDA would win a fourth consecutive term in 2029 under PM Narendra Modi. He claimed opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, and Akhilesh Yadav would not be able to defeat the alliance.
What were Athawale's remarks on student protests and Parliament conduct?
Athawale said student movements must remain peaceful and constitutional, alleging opposition parties tried to exploit the protests politically. On Parliament, he criticised the use of the word 'Idiot' in debates and defended Home Minister Amit Shah against allegations he described as image-damaging.
