Making a strong pitch for a Uniform Civil Code in his Independence Day speech this morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said laws that divide the country have no place in a modern society and must be done away with.

“The Supreme Court has repeatedly held discussions on uniform civil code, given orders, because a large section of the country feels, and rightly so, that the current civil code is a communal civil code, a discriminatory civil code. The Constitution tells us, the Supreme Court tells us to and it was the dream of the Constitution makers. So it is our duty to fulfill it,” the Prime Minister said from the ramparts of Red Fort, two months after he started his third term.

“There must be widespread discussions, everyone should come forward with their opinions and laws that divide the country on religious lines must be done away with. They have no place in a modern society. Time demands a secular civil code. And then we will be free of religious discrimination,” the Prime Minister said.

Earlier, the BJP manifesto for the Lok Sabha election had said the party considers a uniform civil code in the interest of the nation. Several BJP-led state governments have already moved to implement a uniform civil code.  

Against this backdrop, the Prime Minister’s remarks point to an intent on the part of the government to move towards addressing this contentious issue on a pan-India level in its current term. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, delivering his 11th consecutive Independence Day speech at Delhi’s Red Fort, said 140 crore Indians are worried about the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh, who have faced attacks during the recent political unrest in the country following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“140 crore Indians worried about the safety of the Hindus, the minorities in Bangladesh,” PM Modi said. “India will always be a well-wisher of Bangladesh’s progress. We hope the situation normalises in Bangladesh soon. Indians want the security of Hindus, and minorities there to be ensured.” 

On August 5, Prime Minister Hasina, aged 76, fled Bangladesh by helicopter to India as protesters overran the streets of Dhaka. Her 15-year rule, marked by allegations of human rights abuses, came to a dramatic end. The weeks leading up to her ousting were bloody, with more than 450 dying during the unrest and several reports of attacks on Bangladesh’s Hindu minority community.

Last week, the streets of Dhaka erupted into protests again, with hundreds speaking out against the violence targeting Hindus. The minority community makes up about 8 per cent of Bangladesh’s population and has traditionally supported Ms Hasina’s Awami League Party. 

According to the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, at least 52 of the country’s 64 districts have been impacted by communal violence since August 5. 
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hope for an improvement in Bangladesh’s situation while addressing concerns regarding the safety of minorities there. Speaking on Independence Day from the Red Fort, PM Modi reiterated India’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s development and expressed goodwill towards its progress. He emphasized India’s desire for neighboring countries to achieve prosperity and peace.