Opposition slams PM Modi's Independence Day address, Congress says his 'communal civil code' remarks insult to Ambedkar

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during the 78th Independence Day celebrations at party headquarters, in New Delhi, Thursday. Pic/PTI

The Opposition on Thursday accused Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi of peddling a "divisive agenda", with the Congress slamming his "communal civil code" remarks during his Independence Day speech as a "gross insult" to Dr B R Ambedkar.

The Congress also alleged that Modi's capacity for "malice, mischief, and maligning" history was on full display at the Red Fort, news agency PTI reported.

The Congress's denunciation came in the wake of Modi saying a "secular civil code" is the need of the hour as the existing set of laws is a "communal civil code" and discriminatory.

In his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, PM said, "A large section of the country believes, which is true also, that the civil code is actually, in a way, a communal civil code. It discriminates [among people]."

Slamming Modi, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "The non-biological PM's capacity for malice, mischief, and maligning of history knows no bounds. It was on full display today from the Red Fort."

"To say that we have had a 'communal civil code' till now is a gross insult to Dr Ambedkar, who was the greatest champion of reforms in Hindu personal laws that became a reality by the mid-1950s. These reforms had been bitterly opposed by the RSS and the Jan Sangh," Ramesh said in a post on X.

He also cited para 1.15 of the 21st Law Commission's 182-page Consultation Paper on Reform of Family Law to drive home his point. "While diversity of Indian culture can and should be celebrated, specific groups or weaker sections of society must not be dis-privileged in the process. Resolution of this conflict does not mean abolition of all differences. This Commission has therefore dealt with laws that are discriminatory rather than providing a uniform civil code which is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage," he quoted the document, released on August 31, 2018.

"Most countries are moving towards recognition of differences and the mere existence of difference does not imply discrimination, but is indicative of a robust democracy," the Congress leader quoted the document.

Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary D Raja said Modi's Independence Day speech did not place any issue before the country to unite and inspire people. "Whatever he spoke is in line with the sinister, divisive agenda of the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh)," Raja told PTI.

"The PM speaks about 2047, but he failed to address the issues of plurality and diversity of the nation. He is trying to impose uniformity on the country," Raja alleged.

The Left leader said among other things, Modi did not talk about what is going to be done regarding the allegations made by US short seller Hindenburg Research. "What is he going to do with the Hindenburg allegations? All institutions are compromised and the SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) is compromised. The Election Commission was compromised earlier. PM could not address any genuine issue that the country is facing today," said Raja.

National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) general secretary and CPI leader Annie Raja also slammed Modi and questioned the idea of 'One Nation, One Election'.

"What is 'One Nation, One Election'? He is boasting about making this country an economic superpower by 2047.... He should have that same confidence to say that this country can have elections at different times," she said.

"If this country cannot generate resources for an election, what are we talking about 2047? I do not know what is his intention behind 'One Nation, One Election'.... The first agenda should be to ensure free-and-fair elections," Annie Raja said.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Jha said Modi is yet to realise that there is only one PM in the country and those who voted for the Opposition do not have a separate PM. "The most important and concerning point is that even for the 11th time, Narendra Modi has failed to understand that he is the country's prime minister. The Opposition or the people who did not vote for you do not have a separate prime minister," said Jha.

"Every time we expected him to have a big heart, we have been disappointed. Even a polite conversation can seem awkward if it is held impolitely. Whether the statement on Viksit Bharat, saying that some people want destruction, this is a political speech," the Rajya Sabha MP said.

"Today, he talked about a secular civil code. Secularism is a process, it has to be imbibed. Every time we expect that the prime minister will give up a narrow mindset and have a broad-minded approach, he disappoints," Jha added.

Modi, in his remarks, said laws that divide the country on communal lines and become a reason for inequality have no place in a modern society.

"I would say, it is the need of the hour that India should have a secular civil code. We have lived 75 years with a communal civil code. Now, we have to move towards a secular civil code. Only then would religion-based discrimination end. It would also end the disconnect the common people feel," he said.

(With PTI inputs)