On Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech from the Red Fort was more than a celebration of India’s 77 years of freedom; it was a blueprint for a more unified and efficient nation. With a call for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the concept of “One Nation, One Election,” the Prime Minister addressed two of the most complex issues facing India today. The idea of a Uniform Civil Code has been on the BJP’s agenda for years. It has been a part of the Directive Principles of State Policy for even longer.

The proposed Code aims to replace the various personal laws ~ Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and others ~ with a single set of secular laws governing all citizens. Mr. Modi’s argument is straightforward: a communal civil code perpetuates discrimination and prevents national integration. By advocating for a UCC, he seeks to align India with the principle of equality enshri n ed in the Constitution. However, the push for this reform is fraught........

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