New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the Uniform Civil Code in his speech from the Red Fort on the 78th anniversary of independence. During this, he said that a large section of the country believes that the civil code with which we are living is really a communal and discriminatory code. I want that there should be a serious discussion on this in the country and everyone should bring their views.

NDA allies are not unanimous on the UCC issue

At the same time, the NDA allies are not unanimous on this issue. A statement from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), BJP's biggest ally in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has come out. The party said that it will wait for the draft to come out before finalizing its stand. At the same time, its second biggest ally Janata Dal (United) said that the party supports any such reform.

What did TDP say on UCC?

JDU spokesperson KC Tyagi said that it should be insisted upon only after building a consensus by talking to all stakeholders, including religious groups and states. TDP parliamentary party chief Lavu Srikrishna Devaraylu said that his party would wait for the draft proposal related to the Uniform Civil Code before making its stand clear on the UCC.

The party will wait for the draft on UCC: Chirag Paswan

Another ally of the party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), has also not given any concrete assurance in this regard. Party president and Union minister Chirag Paswan recently wondered how everyone could be brought under one umbrella, noting the cultural, linguistic and regional diversities across the country. Last month, he said his party would wait for the draft on Uniform Civil Code before taking a stand.

What did JDU say?

Tyagi cited information given by JD(U) president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to the Law Commission in 2017 to make his point. It is known that Nitish Kumar had said that any attempt to implement a Uniform Civil Code without obtaining the consent of various religious groups, especially minorities, could lead to social conflict and erosion of faith in the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.

Unanimous agreement on one nation, one election

At the same time, the NDA allies seem to be unanimous on the proposal of 'one nation, one election'. Prime Minister Modi had strongly advocated 'one nation, one election' in his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Tyagi said that his party completely agrees with the BJP on this issue. Both JD (U) and LJP (Ram Vilas) had given their support to the concept of 'one nation, one election' before the high level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

Shiv Sena, another key ally of the BJP, led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has been supporting Uniform Civil Code and simultaneous elections.

What did PM Modi say on UCC in his address?

During his nearly 98-minute speech on Independence Day, Modi mentioned the UCC and the Supreme Court's orders on it and stressed the need for a serious discussion in the country on this subject. He said that a large section of the country believes that the civil code with which we are living is actually a communal and discriminatory code. I want that there should be a serious discussion on this in the country and everyone should bring forward their views.

PM Modi said that the laws which divide the country on the basis of religion and become the reason for discrimination... those laws cannot have any place in modern society. Now the country demands that there should be a secular civil code in the country.

PM Modi mentioned one nation, one election

Stating that frequent elections have created a hindrance in the progress of the country, the Prime Minister said that the announcement of any scheme by the government is often linked to electoral gains and losses. Referring to one nation, one election, he said that there has been a wide discussion in the country on this, all political parties have put forth their views and for this, the committee constituted under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind has also prepared its report.

He said, 'The country will have to come forward for One Nation, One Election. From the Red Fort, I urge the political parties of the country, I urge the people who understand the Constitution of the country to come forward to realize the dream of 'One Nation, One Election' for the progress of India, with the aim of ensuring maximum use of India's resources.'