New Delhi [India], December 31 (ANI): Expressing the government’s intent to work towards bringing Uniform Civil Code, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday said that UCC figured in the BJP manifesto for 2024 Lok Sabha polls and the party makes such a mention when it feels that the proposal can be implemented.
In an interview with ANI, Meghwal said that UCC was being implemented in Goa and Uttarakhand has enacted a law for its implementation.
“The UCC was a part of BJP’s manifesto, no doubt about it. We take up things in the manifesto when we think it is possible. States also worked on it. It was already implemented in Goa and Uttarakhand passed the act. The matter is pending with the Law Commission of India, other states are also interested,” he said.
The terms of reference of the 23rd Law Commission, which was constituted earlier this year, included the Uniform Civil Code.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said earlier this month in Parliament that the government was exerting its force to have a “secular civil code”. He made the remarks in Lok Sabha during his speech in a debate marking 75 years of India’s constitution.
“There is a burning issue I wish to discuss, and that is the Uniform Civil Code! This topic was not overlooked by the Constituent Assembly either. The Constituent Assembly engaged in lengthy and in-depth discussions about the Uniform Civil Code. After rigorous debates, they decided that it would be better for whichever government is elected in the future to take a decision on this matter and implement the Uniform Civil Code in the country. This was a directive from the Constituent Assembly, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar himself had said so. However, those who neither understand the Constitution nor the country, and have read nothing beyond their hunger for power, are unaware of what Babasaheb had actually said. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar had strongly advocated for the abolition of personal laws that were based on religious grounds,” PM Modi had said.
“During the debates of that era, K.M. Munshi, a prominent member of the Constituent Assembly, emphasized that the Uniform Civil Code was essential for the unity and modernity of the nation. The Supreme Court, too, on multiple occasions, has stated the necessity of implementing a Uniform Civil Code in the country at the earliest and has even directed governments to work towards it. Keeping in mind the spirit of the Constitution and the sentiments of the Constitution’s framers, we are fully committed and working with all our strength towards establishing a secular civil code,” PM Modi added.
PM Modi had also spoken about UCC in his Independence Day speech this year.
“In our country, the Supreme Court has repeatedly addressed the issue of the Uniform Civil Code. Numerous orders have been issued, reflecting the belief of a significant portion of our population–and rightly so–that the current Civil Code resembles a Communal Civil Code, one that is discriminatory. As we celebrate 75 years of the Constitution, we must hold extensive discussions on this subject as the Supreme Court advocates for this change,” PM Modi had said.
“And it is our collective responsibility to realize the vision of the framers of our Constitution. We should welcome diverse opinions and perspectives. Laws that divide our nation based on religion and foster discrimination have no place in modern society. Therefore, I assert that it is time for the country to demand a Secular Civil Code. After 75 years of a Communal Civil Code, it is crucial to move towards a Secular Civil Code. Once this shift takes place, it will eliminate religious discrimination and will bridge the gap felt by ordinary citizens,” he added.
The BJP had talked about bringing Uniform Civil Code in its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Article 44 of the Constitution lists the Uniform Civil Code as one of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
“BJP believes that there cannot be gender equality till such time Bharat adopts a Uniform Civil Code, which protects the rights of all women, and the BJP reiterates its stand to draw a Uniform Civil Code, drawing upon the best traditions and harmonising them with the modern times,” the party’s manifesto said. (ANI)
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