“Gross Insult To Dr. Ambedkar”: Jairam Ramesh Slams PM Modi’s UCC Remark
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “malice, mischief, and maligning of history” over his “communal civil code” remark during his speech on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day.
During his address at Red Fort, PM Modi said that the existing civil laws are “communal” and that “secular civil laws” are required to be free of religious discrimination, while referring to the controversial Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
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“A large section of the country believes – and it is true, that the civil code we are living with is actually a Communal Civil Code in a way…I would say that it is the need of the hour for there to be a Secular Civil Code in the country… only then would we be free of the discrimination on the basis of religion,” said PM Modi.
Reacting to the speech, Ramesh called PM Modi’s statements “a gross insult” to Dr. BR Ambedkar. Highlighting the report of the 21st Law Commission, which advocated against the implementation of the UCC, the senior Congress leader observed how the RSS and the Jan Sangh, the ideological parents of the BJP, “bitterly opposed” Ambedkar’s reforms in Hindu personal laws.
“While diversity of Indian culture can and should be celebrated, specific groups or weaker sections of society must not be dis-privileged in the process. Resolution of this conflict does not mean abolition of all differences,” Ramesh stated, quoting the Consultation Paper on Reform of Family Law, dating back to August 31, 2018, of the 21st Law Commission (appointed by PM Modi).
The commission therefore states that it dealt with discriminatory laws rather than providing a UCC, “which is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage.” Ramesh also quoted the section that states, “Most countries are moving towards recognition of differences, and the mere existence of difference does not imply discrimination but is indicative of a robust democracy.”
The non-biological PM’s capacity for malice, mischief, and maligning of history knows no bounds. It was on full display today from the Red Fort.
To say that we have had a “communal civil code” till now is a gross insult to Dr. Ambedkar, who was the greatest champion of reforms…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 15, 2024
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The UCC seeks to replace personal laws governing institutions like marriage, divorce, inheritance, and more based on religion with a common set of rules for all. Many have criticised the implementation of UCC as unconstitutional, an infringement on religious freedom and identity of minority groups, especially Muslims, and will ensure policies favouring the majority Hindu community.
