Vice-President Dhankhar Warns: Delaying Implementation Of Uniform Civil Code Will Erode Our Core Values

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday (4 July) emphasised the importance of a Uniform Civil Code in bringing the country together.

He warned that any further delay in implementing the UCC would erode the country's values.

During his speech at the 25th convocation of IIT-Guwahati, Dhankhar highlighted the wisdom of the framers of the Constitution.

"Dr B R Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, and they had included a very important part in the Constitution with respect to Directive Principles of State Policy. They were certain that these principles are fundamental in governance of the country… It is the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws," Dhankhar was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Expressing surprise at the reaction of some people towards the idea of implementing the Directive Principles under Article 44, which calls for a Uniform Civil Code, Dhankhar emphasised that any further delay in implementing the UCC would be detrimental to the country's values.

“I am somewhat stunned by the reaction of people when there is a thought afloat that something should be done with respect to Directive Principles under Article 44, and that is ‘The state shall endeavour to secure for citizens a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India’. Now … I am sure that the situation must have come, any further delay in implementation of Uniform Civil Code will be corrosive to our values,” the Vice President said.

He urged people to appreciate and understand the underlying sublimity of the code.

Dhankhar said that the UCC will “bind Bharat, its nationalism more effectively – this was the thought process of the founding fathers of the Constitution. Friends, just reflect and think about it, there can be no premise or rationale to impede or delay the implementation of Directive Principles when we are in Amrit Kaal”.

He also urged the students to prioritise "economic nationalism" in their work, saying fiscal gains solely should not become the guiding factor.

The Vice-President expressed his concern about narratives that he said were anti-India and cautioned against foreign influences that could damage the country's reputation.

He emphasized that no foreign entity should be allowed to manipulate India's sovereignty and reputation.

"We cannot be on the back foot when it comes to our sovereignty and reputation. We cannot suffer taint on our flourishing and blossoming democracy and constitutional institutions...," he said.

The Vice-President expressed worry about the frequent orchestration of anti-national narratives with the objective of tarnishing India's image.

"It is high time the choreographers of anti-Bharat narrative orchestration are effectively rebuffed,” he added.

Dhankhar highlighted the current zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and urged young graduates to speak up against it.

He emphasised that a corruption-free society is essential for the growth and development of individuals.

“A corruption-free society is the safest guarantee to your growth trajectory. I would, therefore, urge every person present here, particularly my young friends, boys and girls, you have the capacity to discern, and you have the capacity to find out what is right and wrong, but please don’t observe silence. Your silence can be too costly for the nation,” he said.