Facing BJP heat on UCC, Uddhav Thackeray does a balancing act, questions ‘adverse impact’ on Hindus

Shiv Sena (UBT) president flags BJP's 'failure' in implementing cow slaughter ban, asking how could it then execute UCC

These statements from the Uddhav Sena have come at a time the BJP has been going all out to attack the Uddhav Sena, especially on its ideology, in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and Maharashtra Assembly elections. (Express photo by Pradip Das)

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While the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has been a votary of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the party is now countering its ally-turned-rival BJP’s attack on the issue by raising questions on the latter’s ability to implement it and whether the UCC would have an “adverse impact” on Hindus.

The UCC was among the key ideological issues over which the BJP and the united Shiv Sena were on the same page until 2019, when they broke up.

At the Sena (UBT) plenary session held at Worli in Mumbai Sunday, party president Uddhav said, “Our party has always been in favour of the UCC. We welcome the Centre’s decision to enforce UCC. But our concern is whether it would have an adverse impact on Hindus.”

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Uddhav went on to question the BJP-led Centre’s role in preventing cow slaughter in the country.

“When the BJP announced the ban on cow slaughter, many believed it would be done in letter and spirit. But the BJP failed to implement a cow slaughter ban in the entire country,” he said, going on to ask, “How will the BJP implement UCC in the entire country?”

A top Sena (UBT) functionary said the party was concerned that the “selective implementation” would “affect Hindus”. “Uddhav’s question to the BJP is a fact. If the Modi government is serious about bringing the UCC, it should be applicable to one and all. We will not tolerate selective implementation,” he said.

The Uddhav Sena leader claimed: “Our fear is whether Hindus will be affected once the laws come into force. They (BJP) will buckle under pressure and the opposition from other communities will make the whole exercise redundant. It will then become another half-hearted attempt like the cow slaughter ban.”

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Addressing a rally at Nanded on June 10, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had lashed out at Uddhav, questioning his party’s stand on issues such as the UCC and Muslim reservation. “Uddhav Thackeray should explain his party’s stand on UCC. What is the party’s stand on Ram Temple at Ayodhya? Does he endorse the insult to Veer Savarkar by alliance partner Congress? Does he support Muslim reservation that goes against the Constitution, which does not support religion-based reservation?” Shah had asked.

While Uddhav remained silent for a week, his Sunday statements pointed to his pary’s tightrope walk on the UCC issue.

Meanwhile, Uddhav’s questioning of the BJP’s implementation capacity has prompted the saffron party to hit back at him.

Speaking to reporters Monday, in response to a question on Uddhav’s statement, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi-Shah are leaders who make promises and accomplish them. They have shown this by abrogating Article 370 in Kashmir. They have shown the political will in Ram Temple at Ayodhya. Next issue is undoubtedly UCC.”

On June 14, the Law Commission sought the views of the public and religious organisations on the UCC issue. A notice issued by the Commission said those interested and willing may present their views within 30 days.

This comes eight months after the Centre told the Supreme Court that the Constitution obligated the State to have a UCC for its citizens, saying that people of different religions and denominations following different property and matrimonial laws was an “affront to the nation’s unity”.

In its manifestos, the BJP had been consistent in its pledges for the UCC, along with the abrogation of Article 370 and the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. With the latter two promises fulfilled, it seems to be focusing on the UCC now.