It's time to implement uniform civil code: Dhankhar

Any delay will be corrosive to our values, says vice president

ITDC INIDA EPRESS/ ITDC NEWS:  Any further delay in implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be corrosive to our values, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Tuesday. Addressing the 25th convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, Dhankar said that the UCC will bind India and its nationalism more effectively.

"This was the thought process of the founding fathers. The time has come for its implementation and there can be no rationale for impediment or further delay,” the vice president said, adding that Article 44 of the Constitution clearly states that the state shall endeavour to secure the UCC for its citizens across the country.

He further stressed that the directive principles of state policy (DPSP) are “fundamental in governance of the country” and it is the duty of the state to make them into rules.

“Following this premise, I am stunned at the reaction of some people when there is an effort to implement the UCC. Political stakeholding cannot be at the cost of the nation and nationalism,” Dhankhar said.

The UCC is aimed at replacing personal laws based on religions, customs, and traditions with one common law for everyone irrespective of religion, caste, creed, sexual orientation and gender. Personal laws and laws related to inheritance, adoption and succession are likely to be covered by a common code.

The vice president also cautioned against the attempts to tarnish the image of India and "frequent orchestration of anti-national narratives”. “It is high time choreographers of anti-Bharat narrative orchestration were effectively rebuffed,” he said.

Dhankhar also pointed out that no foreign entity can be allowed to tweak with India's sovereignty and reputation.Describing India as the oldest, largest, most functional and vibrant democracy that is giving stability to global peace and harmony, the vice president said: "We can not suffer dent on our flourishing and blossoming democracy and constitutional institutions."