UCC And One Nation, One Election: PM Modi Talks About Two Reforms In Red Fort Speech But Stops Short Of Giving A Timeline 

During his address to the nation on 78th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised key reforms.

One major reform highlighted was the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Citing the Supreme Court’s call for its implementation, PM Modi stated that a national consensus is being built.

Highlighting the discriminatory nature of existing codes, PM Modi said they are communal and discriminate based on religion. He added that these rules foster inequality and don't belong in modern society.

Recalling the vision of the Constitution makers, he said that everyone must work to fulfill their dream of a UCC and invited people from all sections of society to join the deliberation process.

"The need of the hour is a secular civil code in the country. We have spent 75 years with a communal civil code; now we must adopt a secular one. Only then will we achieve freedom from religious discrimination," added PM Modi.

Another significant reform PM Modi highlighted is One Nation, One Election. He noted that the frequent elections in India make it easy to allege that government schemes are introduced to influence the outcome of an impending election.

Hailing the Ram Nath Kovind committee's report on the feasibility of One Nation, One Election, PM Modi urged the political class to come forward and engage on the issue.

“In front of the tricolour flag from the Red Fort, I urge the political parties of the country who understand the Constitution, to make maximum use of India's resources for the progress of India and to realise the dream of One Nation One Election for the common people. We must come forward to make it come true,” added PM Modi

Although both reforms are crucial for India's future, PM Modi has not provided a timeline for their implementation, as the political interests of various stakeholders could be at risk.

For instance, regional parties, which have become pseudo-feudal forces in their territories, fear that One Nation, One Election would shift focus from communal and caste divisions to a singular goal — development.

Similarly, political parties who use the Muslim community as a vote bank fear losing it due to the UCC.