Indian government pushes wider rollout of polarising civil code

India's interior minister pledged to expand a controversial common civil code to more states under the ruling Hindu nationalist party, stirring concern among Muslim citizens. India, with its 1.4 billion inhabitants, is predominantly Hindu and hosts around 220 million Muslims. The country's populace observes a unified criminal law, but personal matters like marriage, divorce, and inheritance follow distinct customs for various communities and religions.

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC), envisioned to substitute these diverse rules, is a longstanding objective of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Four states have already adopted the UCC, and Home Minister Amit Shah expressed assurance that it will be implemented in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance by 2029.

The push for a standardized civil code has generated apprehensions, particularly among Muslim citizens, who argue that such a move would violate their religious freedoms. Advocates contend that the UCC would grant Muslim women parity with others by abolishing polygamy, equalizing property inheritance rights for sons and daughters, and necessitating divorce proceedings to be conducted before a civil court.

India, the world's most populous nation, hosts the third-largest Muslim population globally. The upcoming national elections are scheduled for 2029, following Modi's third consecutive term in 2024, during which he formed a coalition government.