In Independence Day address, PM Modi pitches for UCC, says time for ‘secular civil code’

“When we are celebrating 75 years of the Constitution, and the spirit of the Constitution also tells us to do what the Supreme Court of the country tells us to do, it is the responsibility of all of us to fulfil the dream of the Constitution makers. I believe there should be a discussion in the country on this serious issue, it should be a wide discussion. Everyone should come up with their views. The laws which divide the country on the basis of religion, which become the reason for discrimination, such laws cannot have any place in modern society,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Red Fort during Independence day celebration in New Delhi on Thursday. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

“I say it is the need of the hour that there should be a Secular Civil Code in the country. We have spent 75 years under the Communal Civil Code. Now we will have to move towards a Secular Civil Code. Only then we will get relief from the discrimination happening on the basis of religion in the country, from which common citizens feel distanced,” he said.

This was the first time Modi spoke on the issue of UCC in an Independence Day speech. The UCC promise has long figured in BJP election manifestos and its 2024 Lok Sabha election manifesto said “Article 44 of the Constitution lists 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.”

During his 98-minute address, the Prime Minister also underlined the need to realise the dream of “One nation, One election” – another BJP poll promise.

On the situation in Bangladesh, he said, “Whatever has happened in Bangladesh, as a neighbouring country, I can understand the concerns about it. I hope that the situation there will soon become normal. Especially, the concerns of 140 crore countrymen is that the safety of Hindus and minorities there should be ensured.”

“India always wants the neighbouring countries to walk on the path of happiness and peace. We have a commitment to peace, it is our culture. In the coming days, our good wishes will always be there in the development journey of Bangladesh because we are people who think about the welfare of mankind,” he said.

Referring to crimes against women, Modi said, “Today, I want to express my pain once again from the Red Fort. As a society, we have to think seriously about the country’s anger towards the atrocities being committed against our mothers, sisters and daughters. There is anger among the common people. I am feeling this anger.”

“The country, the society, our state governments have to take this seriously. Crimes against women should be investigated as soon as possible. Those who commit demonic acts should be given severe punishment as soon as possible. This is necessary to create trust in the society,” he said.

“I would also like to say that when incidents of rape and atrocities on women occur, it is discussed a lot, there is a lot of publicity, it gets covered in the media. But when a person with such a demonic mindset is punished, it is not seen anywhere in the news, it remains lying somewhere in a corner. Now the need of the hour is that there should be a wide discussion about the people who get punished so that even those who commit such sins fear that the consequence will be death by hanging… I feel it is very important to create this fear,” he said.

He also spoke about inducting “fresh blood” in politics. “We want to bring forward one lakh such youngsters as people’s representatives in the political life of the country as soon as possible. Initially, we want to bring forward one lakh such youngsters whose family members have no political background. Whose parents, siblings, uncles, maternal uncles and maternal aunts have never been in politics. One lakh such promising youngsters… whether they are in Panchayat, Nagar Palika, Zila Parishad, Vidhan Sabha or Lok Sabha,” he said.

He said that it is not necessary that one should join his party. They should go to the party of their choice, he said.

Referring to the successful hosting of the G20 Summit last year, Modi said, “It is India’s dream that the Olympics of 2036 be held on Indian soil. We are preparing for this and we are moving ahead for that.”

Stating that every citizen of the country has been troubled by the “termites of corruption”, he said, “Corruption at every level has broken the faith of the common man in the system… That is why I have launched a war against corruption on a large scale. I know I have to pay the price for this, my reputation has to pay the price. But my reputation cannot be bigger than the nation, my dreams cannot be bigger than the dreams of the nation. And that is why my fight against corruption will continue with honesty, it will continue at a rapid pace and action will definitely be taken against the corrupt.”

“I want to create an environment of fear for the corrupt so that I can stop the tradition of looting the common citizen of the country,” he said.

On medical education, the Prime Minister announced plans to add 75,000 new medical seats in the next 5 years. He also spoke on the “Nalanda Spirit”, referring to efforts aimed at reviving the spirit of ancient Nalanda University.