AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi accused the BJP of using the Uniform Civil Code to target Muslims, questioned its constitutional implications, criticised madrassa closures in West Bengal, and raised concerns over India’s diversity, BRICS food choices, and sporting ties with Pakistan.
AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of pursuing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) with the intention of targeting Muslims rather than promoting equality. His remarks came in response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that all 21 National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-ruled states would implement the UCC before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Owaisi argued that the proposed implementation of the UCC must be examined in the context of India’s constitutional guarantees and its pluralistic social structure. He alleged that the BJP’s approach could affect the religious freedoms and rights of minorities, particularly the country’s Muslim population.
“The BJP and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are doing this against Articles 25, 14, 26 and 29 of the Constitution,” Owaisi told media persons. He said Article 25 protects freedom of religion, while Article 14 guarantees equality before the law.
According to Owaisi, the BJP was not pursuing the UCC for equality but to target Muslims. He also emphasised that pluralism was central to India’s identity and alleged that the BJP and RSS were attempting to impose Hindu laws on communities following other religions.
Owaisi further referred to the Law Commission report constituted during the Narendra Modi government, claiming that it had concluded that a UCC was neither necessary nor desirable for India. He also questioned the continued existence of laws such as the Disturbed Area Act in some states and raised questions over legislation concerning interfaith relationships.
Challenging the BJP and the RSS on the issue, Owaisi said they should implement the same UCC provisions across states. Referring to Goa, which is often cited in political debates as an example of a state having a common civil code, he argued that its legal framework contains provisions and exemptions that differ from the UCC models proposed in states such as Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam.
Owaisi said that if the BJP wanted to present Goa as an example of the UCC, it should clarify whether it intended to introduce the same legal provisions nationwide. He also highlighted certain provisions relating to marriage in Goa and claimed that Catholic marriage registration has exemptions under the existing framework.
The AIMIM chief also criticised the West Bengal government over an order concerning the closure of 252 madrassas. He alleged that the decision reflected hostility towards Muslims and Islam and argued that shutting down institutions providing religious education could violate constitutional protections available to minorities.
Owaisi invoked Article 30 of the Constitution, which provides minorities with the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. He maintained that educational and religious diversity should be protected within India’s constitutional framework.
Beyond the UCC and madrassa issue, Owaisi also commented on the controversy surrounding food served during the BRICS Summit 2026. He said India’s diversity encompasses different cultures, religions, languages and food habits. He noted that a section of minorities in the country follows vegetarian dietary practices while arguing that food preferences should be understood within India’s broader diversity.
The AIMIM president also raised questions regarding India-China relations and the situation concerning areas where, according to him, Indian forces had previously patrolled.
Owaisi further questioned the Indian women’s cricket team’s reported decision not to accept the Women’s Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council president and Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi. He linked the issue to broader questions surrounding India-Pakistan relations, the Indus Water Treaty and cricketing arrangements.
He questioned why the BCCI should continue benefiting from television rights and ICC-related arrangements while the government maintains a tough position on Pakistan. Owaisi also referred to the Pahalgam terror attack and raised concerns over the impact of terrorism on affected families.
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Through his remarks, Owaisi sought to connect the UCC debate with broader questions of constitutional rights, minority protections, religious freedom, cultural diversity and India’s approach towards Pakistan. His comments are likely to add another political dimension to the continuing debate over the proposed nationwide implementation of the Uniform Civil Code.
