Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sandeep Pathak recently expressed support for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) "in principle." However, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has now said that the AAP is a "secular party" and will not endorse any "agenda to divide" for votes.
On 28 June, Pathak, AAP general secretary (organisation), stated that the party offers its "in-principle support" to the UCC. However, Pathak had also emphasised the importance of reaching a consensus and conducting extensive consultations with stakeholders before implementing it.
Speaking to the media in Chandigarh on Tuesday (4 July), Mann said, "Our country is like a bouquet, which has flowers of every colour. Every religion and faith and also their rituals should be respected. Why do they keep tampering with such sensitive issues? They should follow the Constitution that says if everyone is socially equal, then there can be a UCC."
He added: "It is BJPās agenda to divide during elections. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is a secular party and it does not support any such agenda."
Opposition parties in Punjab had criticised the state's ruling party after Pathak's statement on UCC.
The Congress accused the AAP of supporting the BJP-led Union government's agenda of polarisation before the 2024 general elections.
The Shiromani Akali Dal had also demanded a clarification from Mann on the issue.
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