In his first Independence Day speech of his third term, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed both ideological and political issues, calling for a "secular civil code" and advocating for simultaneous elections at both the national and state levels. By framing the BJP's call for a common civil code as a push for a "secular civil code", Modi aimed to rebut opposition claims that the party's goal is to replace Muslim personal law. Despite falling short of a majority in the Lok Sabha, Modi emphasized the need for continuity and unity through simultaneous elections.
Understanding the Call for a Secular Civil Code in India
Background
A civil code refers to a set of laws that governs personal matters for citizens, such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption. In India, religious groups follow their own personal laws based on their religious scriptures and customs. As a result, there are multiple parallel systems of law, leading to disparities and inequalities.
Narendra Modi's Call for a Secular Civil Code
In his 2019 Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for a "secular civil code" that would apply uniformly to all citizens, regardless of religion. He argued that such a code would promote gender equality, protect minority rights, and ensure a more just and equitable society.
BJP's Agenda and Opposition Claims
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Modi, has long pushed for a common civil code, which many see as a move to replace Muslim personal law with a Hindu-centric one. However, Modi's reference to a "secular civil code" aimed to dispel such concerns and present it as a step towards national unity.
Constitutional Implications
Article 44 of the Indian Constitution states that the state shall endeavor to secure for all citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India. However, it has not been implemented due to resistance from religious groups and concerns about minority rights.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is a secular civil code?
A secular civil code is a set of laws that govern personal matters based on secular principles, rather than religious beliefs or customs.
2. Why is a secular civil code being advocated in India?
Proponents argue that it would promote gender equality, protect minority rights, and ensure a more just and equitable society by eliminating disparities in personal laws based on religion.
3. What are the concerns of opponents?
Opponents fear that a secular civil code could undermine religious freedom and cultural identities, particularly those of minority groups.
4. Has India implemented a secular civil code before?
No, India has not yet implemented a secular civil code at the national level. However, the state of Goa has a uniform civil code that applies to all citizens, regardless of religion.
5. What is the current status of the secular civil code proposal?
The BJP-led government has not introduced any specific legislation on a secular civil code, but it remains a part of the party's agenda. The matter is likely to continue to be debated and discussed in the years to come.
King Charles and actor Idris Elba hold a summit at St James's Palace to address the devastating impact of knife crime on young people. The King was moved by the story of a campaigner who overcame his own stabbing incident by taking up boxing, and emphasized the importance of directing energy towards positive activities. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has personally met with grieving parents of knife crime victims, shares the government's goal to halve knife crime in a decade and enact new laws such as Ronan's Law, which bans ninja swords.
The Chief Judge of Taraba State has announced the commencement of the 2025 annual vacation for the state's high courts, with a designated vacation judge to handle urgent matters. The announcement was made through an official notification in the gazette, in accordance with Order 8 Rules 2011. According to the Chief Judge, the designated vacation period will not exceed six weeks and the courts will not be sitting during this time, except for urgent matters or at the request of all parties involved. The appointment of Justice Yahaya Goje as the vacation judge was also announced in the statement.
The Kerala High Court recently dismissed a writ petition filed by a lawyer named Asif Azad, who sought directions to quash a cheque dishonour case against him. In the course of the hearing, Azad refused to argue his case, insisting that the judge, Justice PV Kunhikrishnan, should not hear it as he had imposed costs on Azad in a previous matter. The court, however, clarified that each case is decided on its own merits and that litigants cannot dictate or choose which judge hears their case, emphasizing the need to respect the roster system determined by the Chief Justice.
In a significant development, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was granted bail by an MP-MLA Special Magistrate Court in Lucknow. Gandhi had been accused of making defamatory statements against Indian soldiers during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022. He had personally appeared before the court and surrendered to seek bail, with his counsel arguing for his innocence. The bail was granted on the condition of furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 20,000 with two sureties. This comes after the Allahabad High Court had dismissed his plea challenging the defamation case and the summoning order, stating that freedom of speech and expression does not cover defamatory statements against individuals or institutions. The next hearing is scheduled for August 13.
Congress leader Udit Raj's remarks about a Dalit or OBC candidate deserving to be chosen for India's Axiom-4 space mission instead of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla have sparked controversy. ISRO has stated that Shukla's 15-day mission in space will play a significant role in the Gaganyaan program. With the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS set for a splashdown on Tuesday, Udit Raj's comments have raised important questions about representation in India's space exploration history.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stated the importance of the ongoing eviction drive in the state, not only to protect the forests but also to thwart a larger conspiracy to alter the demographic profile of Upper Assam. The government has reclaimed over 160 square kilometers of land from alleged illegal settlers, with a focus on addressing both environmental and demographic encroachment. CM Sarma highlighted the recent eviction drive in Lakhimpur, revealing that many of the evictees were not landless, but already owned homes in their districts of origin.
Ever since the sudden surge in crimes across Bihar, opposition parties have been relentlessly attacking Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his government. With over 50 murders reported in just the first 14 days of this month, the law and order situation in the state has become a major political issue. Leaders from both RJD and Congress have blamed the CM for being unable to control the situation and prioritize his own position instead. In response, the Deputy CM has hit back at the opposition, asserting that the government is taking strict measures to tackle crime and blaming past administration's actions for encouraging criminals.
In a significant milestone for Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the government has managed to free over 12,000 hectares of land from illegal encroachment over the past four years. The efforts are seen as crucial in safeguarding the state's land, identity, and cultural fabric from the "existential threats" of infiltration and planned demographic changes. Taking to social media, Sarma highlighted that this year, over 160 square kilometers of land have been reclaimed, which accounts for almost 75 percent of Guwahati's total area.
With the crucial Bihar assembly elections on the horizon, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a plan to employ one crore youth in the next five years. This decision, seen as a strategic move by the ruling NDA government, aims to counter the opposition's criticism of rising unemployment in the state. A new university dedicated to skill development, named after a renowned leader, will also be launched to equip youth with necessary skills for job opportunities. This initiative is expected to accelerate the pace of government jobs and employment in the state.
Sources have confirmed that the Bihar Cabinet meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, will focus on expanding welfare schemes and addressing the hot-button issue of reservation. With election season looming, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to announce revised benefits for the youth, elderly, women, and farmers, as well as review the 65% reservation bill and push for implementation of 35% reservation for women in state jobs. The decisions made during this meeting could have a major impact on the outcome of the upcoming assembly elections.