Is UCC on its way in MP? 3 yrs of promises, still no action

Bhopal: With the Gujarat assembly passing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, Madhya Pradesh govt's proposal — made in 2022 — is back in focus.The state's intent for UCC attracted national attention after PM Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for enactment of UCC while addressing BJP workers in Bhopal on June 27, 2023.Uttarakhand govt implemented UCC in Jan 2025. On Dec 1, 2022 the then chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that he was in favour of implementing UCC and a committee was set up in the state in 2022 for its implementation. Govt, however, did not move forward on this and BJP returned to govern in Dec 2023 under CM Mohan Yadav.The issue resurfaced during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with indications that an expert committee would be formed. But, nothing moved thereafter.Political analysts say while the MP govt might be waiting for a direction from the party high command, it is likely that there would be action on this front closer to the assembly elections scheduled for end-2028.Sources said the state govt is assessing the political implications of implementing UCC and with "religious polarization" in MP relatively low, the govt would be cautious about taking a firm step on the sensitive issue.