NEW DELHI: Addressing the first Independence Day speech of his third consecutive term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sporting a Rajasthani Leheriyan print turban, dug in on the ideological issues of the party and his government and made an unequivocal pitch for a “uniform civil code” and “one nation, one election”. Reiterating his calls for “Viksit Bharat”, he said, “This is the golden period of Bharat. Viksit Bharat 2047 awaits us.”
Reaching out to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the Prime Minister asserted that a “secular civil code” is essential for the country instead of the existing “communal code”.
Hinting at the move to do away with the Muslim Personal Law, the Prime Minister said that India has a “communal civil code”. Referring to the Uniform Civil Code, he called for a “secular civil code.”
Mr Modi said: “We have lived 75 years with a communal civil code. Now, we have to move towards a secular civil code. Only then would religion-based discrimination end.”
Invoking the Supreme Court’s verdicts, Mr Modi said, “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.”
The Prime Minister noted that as the country celebrates 75 years of the Constitution, it must hold extensive discussions on this subject as the Supreme Court advocates for this change.
“It is our collective responsibility to realise the vision of the framers of our Constitution. We should welcome diverse opinions and perspectives. Laws that divide our nation based on religion and foster discrimination have no place in modern society. Therefore, I assert that it is time 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,” the Prime Minister said, pointing out that once this shift takes place, it will eliminate religious discrimination and will bridge the gap felt by ordinary citizens.
Giving clear indication that his government is in no mood to change its goalpost, despite being short of majority in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister reiterated his call for “one nation, one election.”
Adhering to his government’s demand for one nation, one election, the Prime Minister maintained that “frequent elections are creating a problem and I appeal to the political parties and those who understand the Constitution that we should move towards one nation, one election”.
The Prime Minister said: “Today, it has become easy to link any scheme with elections, because elections are happening somewhere in the country every three or six months. Whenever you announce any scheme, you see in the media that it is linked to elections. Every scheme is coloured by the hue of the elections. Hence, there has been extensive discussion in the country.”
“All political parties have expressed their views. A committee has prepared a good report. The country needs to come forward to embrace the concept of one nation, one election. From the ramparts of the Red Fort with the Tricolor as a witness, I urge the political parties and those who understand the Constitution of the country, to come forward to make the dream of one nation, one election, a reality for the progress of Bharat and the maximum utilisation of its resources for the common people,” Mr Modi said.
In his 98-minute address to the nation, his longest Independence Day speech, the Prime Minister highlighted that his fight against corruption will continue with complete sincerity and at a fast pace, and action will be taken against the corrupt.
Noting that corruption at all levels has shattered the common man’s faith in the system and the anger caused by the injustice to one’s abilities and potential harms to the nation’s progress, he said, “I have launched a widespread war against corruption. I know this battle comes at a price; it costs me my reputation. But no reputation can be more important than the nation, and no dream of mine can be bigger than the nation’s dreams. Hence, my fight against corruption will continue with complete sincerity and at a fast pace, and action will be taken against the corrupt.”
“I want to create an environment of fear for the corrupt, so the tradition of looting the common citizen comes to an end. However, the biggest new challenge is not just dealing with the corrupt but also the high-level societal change that has emerged. This has become a significant challenge and a grave concern for society,” Mr Modi said.
Calling the glorification of corruption a major concern, the Prime Minister said, “Can anyone imagine that some people in our own country are glorifying corruption? They are openly celebrating corruption. The attempt to sow such seeds in society, the glorification of corruption and the continuous efforts to increase the acceptance of the corrupt have become a significant challenge for a healthy society and a matter of great concern.”
“By distancing ourselves from corrupt individuals in society, we can create an environment where those who are corrupt will fear taking that path. However, if corruption is glorified, even those who are currently honest may begin to see it as a mark of prestige, leading them to believe that engaging in such behaviour is acceptable,” he said.
Launching a frontal assault against the Opposition, Mr Modi asked, “Can anyone imagine that there are people who are supporting corruption?” He then maintained that his “fight against corruption will go on and on”.
The Prime Minister also spoke about women’s safety by referring to the recent incident of rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata in the Opposition Trinamul Congress-ruled West Bengal.
Mr Modi said: “As a society, we should seriously dwell upon the atrocities being meted out to our mothers, sisters and daughters. The outrage is visible in the nation and among the citizens. I can feel this outrage. The states, society and nation have to take serious cognisance of this malefaction. Crimes against women should be investigated without delay. Those committing such demonic acts must be booked prima facie to reinstate trust in the government, judiciary and civil society.”
“I also want to mention that the rape victims — our mothers and daughters — are highlighted all over the media and discussed in society. However, the rapist does not make the news. Now the need of the hour is that there should be a wide discussion about the criminals who get punished so that even those who commit such sins fear the consequences, including hanging to death. I feel that it is important to create this fear,” he said.
Pushing to free country politics of casteism and nepotism, Mr Modi talked about bringing 1 lakh young people into political life as representatives as soon as possible. He said: “Initially, we want to bring forward 1 lakh young people whose families have no political background — those whose parents, siblings, uncles, aunts have never been involved in politics, in any generation. We want new blood, 1 lakh such talented young people, whether they come into the panchayat, municipal corporations, district councils, state Assemblies or the Lok Sabha.”
“We want new young people with no previous political history in their families to enter politics so that we can be freed from casteism and dynastic politics, thereby enriching democracy. It is not necessary that they join a particular party; they should join whichever party they prefer and become representatives. The country should decide that if one lakh such young people whose families are far removed from politics enter the system in the near future, it will lead to new thinking and new capabilities while also enriching democracy,” he said.