P.M Calls for Secular Civil Code in Independence Day Speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15th August, stressed on the need to bring a ‘Secular Civil Code’ instead of using the term ‘Universal Civil Code’, hinting at the government’s intention to broad-base the policy and avoid friction on the contentious issue, both within the ruling NDA and outside. This is the first time that Modi has referred to the  Universal Civil Code (UCC) as ‘Secular Civil Code’, a move many within the BJP claim will leave the Opposition with no choice.

Current civil code resembles a “Communal Civil Code”

Addressing from the Red Fort, two months after he started his third term, Modi said the current civil code resembles a “Communal Civil Code.”  “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,” he said.

Push for a ‘Secular Civil Code’

Pushing for a ‘Secular Civil Code’, Modi further said that “laws that divide our nation based on religion and foster discrimination have no place in modern society.” The code, he said, will eliminate ‘religious discrimination’. “… the time has come 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,” Modi said.

Why do we need Secular Civil Code?

There is a need of secular civil code. Only then we will be free for the free of discrimination on the basis of religion,

Secular Civil Code Vs UCC

The authors of the Indian Constitution left the making of the code for the future, but it never became a law. UCC is meant to be a set of uniform civil laws regarding various matters like inheritance, marriage, adoption, succession, and divorce applicable to all citizens, irrespective of their religion, community, race, sex and caste. But, right now, there is a religion-specific civic law in India, which the BJP has been aiming to club under a common umbrella. Siddiqui thinks the endeavour is a secular approach and hence, the name.

About UCC

UCC refers to a common set of laws for personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and succession for all citizens. Constitution’s Article 44, one of the directive principles of state policy, advocates UCC. But respective religion-based civil codes have governed personal matters since independence. The term Uniform Civil Code is mentioned in Part 4, Article 44 of the Indian Constitution which states: “The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.”