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Informist, Thursday, Aug 15, 2024

NEW DELHI – Terming the current civil code "communal," Prime Minister Narendra Modi today pitched for the implementation of a new "secular" civil code in his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, on the occasion of India's 78th Independence Day. The implementation of a uniform civil code in the country is among the core agendas of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

 

"A large section of the country believes, and it is true, that the civil code that we are living with is actually a communal civil code in a way," Modi said. He said people have lived with a communal civil code for 75 years, and it is important to adopt a secular code to end discrimination on the basis of religion.

 

"I would say that it is the need of the hour that there be a secular civil code in the country...only then would we be free of discrimination on the basis of religion," he said. The prime minister also said that the Supreme Court has held discussions regarding the uniform civil code multiple times and has also given orders several times.

 

"There should be extensive debate on the issue. Everyone should put forth their views and there should be no place for laws that divide the country and become the basis for dividing people based on religion," he said.

 

A uniform civil code is a common set of laws that replaces the diverse personal laws governing various communities and religions in the country with a common civil code. The idea of a uniform civil code was to ensure that all citizens are governed by the same laws in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption. Article 44 of the Constitution, one of the Directive Principles of State Policy, advocates for a uniform civil code. However, since Independence, religion-based civil codes have governed personal matters.

 

The uniform civil code has been on the agenda of the BJP and the RSS. The saffron party for years promised the implementation of the code for all citizens, irrespective of their faith. The BJP in its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha election, had promised to implement the uniform civil code nationally in its third term. Uttarakhand, a BJP-ruled state, passed law for the uniform civil code in February as the first state in the country. However, it was challenged in Uttarakhand High Court.  End

 

Reported by Kuldeep Singh

Edited by Aditya Sakorkar

 

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