Secular civil code need of the hour: PM Modi

A big section (of society) believes and there is truth in this that the current civil code is in a way a communal civil code. We have lived 75 years with a communal civil code. It is a civil code which promotes discrimination. It divides the country along religious lines and promotes inequality. Now, we have to move towards a secular civil code. A secular civil code in the country is the need of the hour - Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made an unequivocal pitch for a “secular” civil code instead of the current framework which is “communal” and promoted “discrimination”, and also for simultaneous polls, as he fronted the ruling BJP’s manifesto promises for a uniform civil code and ‘one nation one election’.

In his first Independence Day address of his third term from the ramparts of the Red Fort and his 11th consecutive one, Modi invoked the Constitution’s directive principles, which recommend a uniform civil code(UCC) across the country, and the Supreme Court’s verdicts to make his most forceful backing of the provision, contested by many parties.

“A big section (of society) believes and there is truth in this that the current civil code is in a way a communal civil code. We have lived 75 years with a communal civil code. It is a civil code which promotes discrimination. It divides the country along religious lines and promotes inequality. Now, we have to move towards a secular civil code. A secular civil code in the country is the need of the hour,” said Modi.

“This is also the spirit of the Constitution. The Supreme Court has underlined its need many a time, and the dream of the makers of the Constitution should be fulfilled.”

Turning his focus on the unrest in Bangladesh, he said 140 crore Indians are concerned over the safety of Hindus and other minorities in the neighbouring country and expressed the hope that normalcy will soon be restored there. India has always wished peace, happiness and prosperity for Bangladesh and wants its development journey to continue, said Modi, who sported a multi-coloured Rajasthani leheriya print turban with a white kurta and churidar. While hailing the rise of women in every sector, he expressed deep concern over incidents of crimes against them, amid an outrage over the recent rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata.