In a recent statement, Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh criticized the timing of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) push for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), suggesting that it is part of a calculated political strategy. Singh, who had previously expressed his support for a UCC, accused the BJP of raising controversial issues ahead of elections to divert attention from pressing matters such as unemployment and a declining growth rate.
Singh questioned why the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, which has enjoyed a strong majority for the past nine years, had not taken any action earlier to implement the UCC. He alleged that the BJP is attempting to ignite a debate on the UCC at this time purely for electoral gains. Singh further pointed out that the BJP had previously employed similar tactics, using issues such as the Pulwama terror attack, the revocation of Article 370, the construction of the Ayodhya Ram temple, and the Citizenship Amendment Act to seek votes.
Vikramaditya Singh, the son of Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh and the late six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, stated that the Congress party is committed to the unity and integrity of the country and would support the UCC bill whenever it is introduced. He also criticized the silence of state BJP leaders regarding the actions taken by the Union government and the Reserve Bank to reduce the borrowing capacity of the state.
Singh highlighted ongoing issues in Manipur, where the state has been facing turmoil for the past two months, as well as similar situations emerging in other states. He expressed his concern about the lack of action being taken against the chief minister of Manipur or the imposition of emergency or Governor’s rule.
In response to a question about Himachal Pradesh’s share in Chandigarh under the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966, the minister stated that the government would continue to pursue the matter. A cabinet sub-committee has been established to examine various aspects of the case and explore legal options if necessary.
Earlier, Singh took to Facebook to emphasize his support for the Uniform Civil Code, underscoring its importance for the unity and integrity of India. However, he urged against politicizing the issue and questioned the timing of the BJP’s focus on the UCC shortly before elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently advocated for a UCC during a meeting in Bhopal, calling for a common law on marriage, divorce, and inheritance applicable to people of all faiths. The Congress party has opposed this move, accusing the BJP of attempting to divide people.
As the debate on the Uniform Civil Code continues, it remains to be seen how political parties and leaders will shape their positions on this important issue ahead of the upcoming elections.
Sources By Agencies