The last 10 years have been full of unprecedented achievements for the unity and integrity of India, he said. “Today, commitment to national unity is visible in every work and every mission of the government.”
For years, the BJP has been a strong advocate for replacing India’s religion-based laws with a uniform civil code, which would establish a common set of rules for issues like marriage, inheritance, and divorce, regardless of religious affiliation. Prime Minister Modi and his party have consistently supported this initiative, arguing that the current system allows non-Hindu communities—particularly Muslims—to follow their own religious laws. A uniform civil code would likely standardize these practices, potentially banning certain personal laws related to marriage and divorce.
The push for a Uniform Civil Code has been a key element in the BJP’s agenda, as reflected in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections. Several BJP-led state governments have already begun moves to implement such a code.
In a significant move, the BJP-led government in Uttarakhand passed the uniform civil code in its state assembly earlier this year, effectively serving as a test case. Historically, successive governments have avoided amending these religion-based laws, fearing backlash from voters of all faiths.
If the BJP attempts to introduce this measure in the current parliament, it is likely that Modi’s key regional allies—many of whom govern states with substantial Muslim populations—may hesitate to support the initiative.
