Jagdambika Pal affirms support for UCC, says there should be ‘equal rights for everyone’

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party leader Jagdambika Pal on Friday highlighted the need for having a Uniform Civil Code, and said it is important to ensure that everyone gets equal rights. A special two-day discussion on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution was held in the Lok Sabha on Friday, with another one planned on Saturday.

“Today, this debate on the Constitution has made one thing certain that today this country needs a Uniform Civil Code. This was said by Rajendra Prasad, Munshi, Sardar Vallabhai Patel too” said the BJP leader.

Talking about the basic structure of democracy, Pal said that the country should ensure equal rights for everyone. “Every person wants equality and justice, so why should there be different laws? There should be a law that gives equal rights to everyone,” Pal said.

#WATCH | Delhi: On the debate on Constitution in the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal says, “… Today, this debate on the Constitution has made one thing certain that today this country needs a Uniform Civil Code… The basic structure of a country’s democracy should give equal… pic.twitter.com/3wZlxogfWB

— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2024

Notably, Pal is also the Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Earlier this month, the tenure of the committee was extended till the next Parliament session.Earlier on Friday, the debate was initiated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the House, who stated that the Constitution paves the way for nation-building.

“We the people of India adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949…I heartily congratulate this House and all the citizens of the country on the occasion of the completion of 75 years of adoption of the Constitution… I can say that our Constitution paves the way for nation-building by touching all aspects of social, economic, political and cultural life,” the Defence Minister said in Lok Sabha.

He also launched a veiled attack on the Congress, criticising the party for attempting to ‘hijack’ the creation of India’s Constitution, stating that the ‘Samvidhan’ of the country was made by the people following the values of India.

“There has always been an attempt by a particular party to hijack the work of Constitution-making. Our Constitution is not the gift of a single party. It was made by the people of India, embodying the values and aspirations of this diverse nation,” Singh stated.

Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi also gave her maiden speech and attacked the ruling government, saying that in the last 10 years, the Centre has made all attempts to break down the ‘Suraksha Kavach’ (protective shield), referring to the Constitution.

The Congress MP also paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives while protecting Parliament in 2001.

“In the struggle of crores of Indians, in their strength to battle the toughest situations, and in their hope of justice from the country, the flame of our Constitution is burning. Our Constitution is ‘suraksha kavach’ (safety armour). Such a ‘suraksha kavach’ that keeps the citizens safe – it is a ‘kavach’ of justice, of unity, of Right to Express,” Priyanka Gandhi said.

“It is sad that in 10 years, colleagues of the ruling side who make big claims have made all attempts to break down this ‘kavach’. The Constitution promises social, economic and political justice. These promises are a safety armour and work to break this has begun. Through lateral entry and privatisation, this government is trying to weaken reservation,” she added.

The first session of the winter Parliament commenced on November 25, with both Houses getting adjourned fairly early due to disruptions. The winter session will go on till December 20. (ANI)