The union home minister, Amit Shah, stated on Thursday that the BJP is committed to enacting the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) following the conclusion of all democratic debates and discussions.
In response to a question regarding UCC, Shah stated that the BJP has kept its promise to the nation’s citizens since the Jan Sangh era.
“Not only the BJP, but the Constituent Assembly had also advised the Parliament and states to bring UCC at an appropriate time because laws should not be based on religion in any secular country.” How can laws be based on religion if the nation and state are secular? “There should be one law passed by the Parliament or the state assemblies for every believer,” Shah said at the Times Now Summit.
According to him, the Constituent Assembly’s commitment was forgotten over time.
“With the exception of the BJP, no other party supports the Uniform Civil Code.” Healthy debate is essential in a democracy. “An open and healthy debate on the issue is required,” he said.
The Home Ministry said in three BJP-ruled states, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Gujarat, a panel under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court and High Court chief justices has been formed, where people of different faiths are putting forth their views.
Amit Shah said, “We will take action on the basis of the recommendations that come after this exercise. The BJP is committed to bringing UCC “once all democratic discussions are over”.
When asked if the repeal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir was his biggest success story, the Home Minister stated that no success is his individual success because he was a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet and that every success is the government’s.
“For years, it was widely assumed that Jammu and Kashmir was a part of India due to Article 370. “There is no Article 370 or 35A anymore, but Jammu and Kashmir is still with India,” Shah explained.
In Jammu and Kashmir, he said, a new democratic generation is emerging, with over 30,000 panches and sarpanches spreading democracy to the grassroots.
The Home Minister also stated that Rs 56,000 crore in investment had flown in, and that 80 lakh tourists, the highest number since independence, had visited Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
Lowest incidents of terrorism have been reported since the 1990s, and there has been no stone pelting, which is one of the most significant achievements of this government, he said.
“The roots of terrorism have grown deep in Jammu and Kashmir, but the government is committed to eradicating it completely,” he added.
Earlier, in his inaugural speech during the summit, Amit Shah said it was time that India’s democratic values were let known to the world.
He said the country was moving at a fast pace towards achieving the target of USD 5 trillion economy by 2025. “In 2014, the country had four unicorn start-ups and the number has now spiralled to over 100.”
When he was asked about allegations that agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate were misusing their powers ahead of elections, the Home Minister stated that anyone with a grievance can go to court and that such actions should not be viewed through a political prism.
On the video of jailed AAP minister Satyendar Jain receiving special treatment, Shah said it was up to the Arvind Kejriwal-led party to determine whether the video was genuine or not.
He said that “If the video is genuine, the accountability lies on his party and you are asking questions from me. I had also gone to jail and resigned as minister. Such shamelessness to cling to the post of a minister even after lodged in jail is unprecedented”
When asked about provisions allowing the Centre to remove a minister in such a scenario, he said even the Constitution makers had perhaps not seen such things coming, and hence, there was no such provision.
On the Shraddha Walkar case, the he said Delhi Police and prosecution will ensure whosoever killed the 27-year-old woman will get the strictest punishment in minimal possible time.
When asked about the upcoming assembly elections in Gujarat, Shah the said contest is between the BJP and the Congress.
“We will beat all records in terms of seat and vote percentage in Gujarat,” he said.
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