Delhi, August 15: After hoisting the national flag from the Red Fort in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the country on several issues, including the Uniform Civil Code, the Space Sector, and atrocities against women. During his Independence Day speech, PM Narendra Modi called for establishing a "secular" civil code in the country. He also termed the current civil code as "communal"

Addressing the nation on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day 2024, PM Narendra Modi said the country has spent 75 years under a "communal" civil code, and it is imperative to bring a "secular" civil code. "Supreme Court has repeatedly discussed uniform civil code, and certain directives have been issued too. A large section of the society believe and it is true that the current civil code is a communal civil code which is discriminatory," PM Modi said. PM Modi Independence Day 2024 Speech: Our Commitment to Reforms Due to Dedication to ‘Nation First’, Says Prime Minister Narendra Modi in I-Day Address (Watch Video).

'Need of the Hour To Have a Secular Civil Code'

Calling for a discussion on the contentious issue of a Uniform Civil Code, PM Modi said the legislation passed based on religious lines should be revoked. "There should be a serious discussion on this. Everyone should put forward their views. The laws that divide the nation on religious lines should not have a place in a modern society," the Prime Minister said from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi. Punishment Given for Crimes Against Women Should Be Publicised, Says PM Narendra Modi While Addressing Nation From Red Fort on 78th Independence Day 2024 (Watch Video).

The Indian Prime Minister's statement comes after top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, promised to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across the country along the lines of Uttarakhand. Earlier in February, Uttarakhand became the first state to pass a law for UCC, following which Muslim bodies challenged the legislation in the High Court.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2024 09:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).