Congress Manifesto Promises Muslim Personal Laws, BJP Brought UCC In U'khand: Amit Shah In Assam

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised the Congress manifesto's alleged support for Muslim personal laws, contrasting it with Assam CM Himanta Sarma's efforts to ban child marriage and UCC brought in Uttarakhand.

Addressing a public rally in Assam's Lakhimpur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday criticised the Congress manifesto, claiming it favoured Muslim personal laws. He juxtaposed this with the actions of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, highlighting efforts to combat child marriage and the introduction of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand.

"The Manifesto of the Congress party says that it will establish Muslim Personal Laws whereas our Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma prohibited child marriage, we brought UCC to Uttarakhand," Shah remarked.

Notably, the Congress manifesto does not directly mention the Muslim personal law but states, "We will encourage reform of personal laws. Such reform must be undertaken with the participation and consent of the communities concerned".

The remark also comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been accusing the grand old party's 'Nyay Patra' of having a "Muslim League imprint" against which the Congress approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday. More On It: Congress Complains To ECI Against PM Modi's 'Muslim League Imprint' Remarks On  Party's LS Manifesto

Shah urged voters to choose between the Congress-led I.N.D.I.A and the Modi-led BJP, asserting that a third term for the BJP-led government at the Centre was essential. He criticised the Congress stance on Article 370 in Kashmir and slammed alleged ignorance regarding citizens' sentiments across the country.

"Congress says Article 370 should not have been abrogated in Kashmir, and their President questions the impacts of its removal in the rest of the country. He doesn't know citizens think of every inch of the country as its own," he said.

Nehru Said 'Bye-Bye' To Assam And Arunachal Pradesh: Amit Shah

Shah emphasised the Modi government's commitment to national security, citing instances where China was unable to encroach on Indian territory. He recalled Jawaharlal Nehru's response to the 1962 Chinese aggression and contrasted it with the BJP's stance on border security, claiming significant progress under the Modi government.

"During the Chinese aggression of 1962, Nehru had said 'bye-bye' to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. People of these states can never forget that," Shah remarked.

Shah praised the BJP-led government's efforts in Assam, particularly in securing the border with Bangladesh and curbing infiltration. He accused the previous Congress government of neglecting the state's development and failing to address violent movements and insurgency-related incidents. Shah highlighted peace accords signed under the Modi government and the withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from 80 per cent of the state's areas. He also lauded the swift implementation of clauses in the Bodo Accord.

"They signed the (Assam) Accord but did not fulfill the clauses. We signed the Bodo Accord and within two years, all clauses were fulfilled," Shah remarked.

"There are two alternatives before you -- to vote for Rahul Gandhi and INDI Alliance, or vote for the Modi-led BJP," Shah stated.

Amit Shah urged voters to prioritise national security and development, framing the upcoming elections as crucial for the region's progress and stability.