India Moving Towards ‘One Nation, One Election, One Civil Code’ – PM Modi

Kevadiya, 31st October 2024: Focusing on the Opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation today, asserting that certain forces are attempting to undermine national unity for political gains. He urged citizens to recognize and oppose this “alliance of urban Naxals.” His remarks were made during National Unity Day celebrations, which coincided with Diwali this year, at the site of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s magnificent statue in Kewadiya, Gujarat.

The Prime Minister highlighted India’s growing global presence, stating, “Countries may be distancing themselves, but they are coming closer to India. This is significant; a new history is unfolding. The world is observing how India addresses its challenges, and we must safeguard our unity.” He paid homage to Sardar Patel, who was instrumental in the country’s integration after gaining independence in 1947.

Modi pointed out that “some misguided elements are anxious about India’s ascent.” He accused both domestic and international entities of attempting to instigate instability and chaos, aiming to convey negative messages to potential global investors. He criticized these individuals for conducting misinformation campaigns and for trying to divide people along caste lines, claiming their agenda was to weaken Indian society and unity. “They oppose India’s development because their political strategy thrives on a narrative of ‘poor India, weak India.’ These forces are fracturing the nation in the name of the Constitution. We must identify and combat this coalition of Urban Naxals,” he emphasized.

While he refrained from naming any specific opposition party or leader, his comments were directed at the INDIA opposition coalition, led by the Congress party. This bloc has built its Lok Sabha election campaign around a “save Constitution” theme and is advocating for a caste census to improve representation for marginalized communities in employment and education. In the last general election, the BJP, under Modi’s leadership, returned to power despite not achieving an outright majority.

The Prime Minister reiterated his tribute to Sardar Patel and asserted that the BJP government’s initiatives demonstrate its dedication to national unity. He cited the implementation of a ‘one nation, one tax’ system and the abrogation of Article 370, which revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.

“Discriminatory policies from past administrations have eroded national unity. The new governance model established in the last decade has eradicated such discrimination. We have embraced the philosophy of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas,’ which has mitigated public discontent and bolstered trust in development initiatives,” Modi stated.

He also remarked that the Aadhaar system, symbolizing ‘one nation, one identity,’ has gained international attention. “Through GST, we implemented ‘one nation, one tax.’ We introduced ‘one nation, one health insurance’ with the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and now we are advancing towards ‘one nation, one election’ to enhance democracy and resource optimization. Additionally, we are progressing towards ‘one nation, one civil code,'” he noted.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that, after 70 years of independence, a pledge for ‘one nation, one Constitution’ has been realized. “This is my greatest homage to Sardar Patel. For seven decades, Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s Constitution was not uniformly applied across the nation. Those who profess allegiance to the Constitution have often disrespected it. The barrier of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir has now been dismantled permanently. For the first time, voting occurred without bias in this Assembly election, and the current Chief Minister has sworn allegiance to the Constitution of India. This moment must have brought immense comfort to the architects of the Indian Constitution, fulfilling our tribute to them.”

Modi declared that this National Unity Day marks the commencement of Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations, a two-year-long commemoration.

“Unity is essential for economic advancement and our aspiration to evolve into a developed nation. It is also crucial for fostering social harmony. If we are committed to social justice, unity is a prerequisite. Let us advance together,” he concluded.