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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent statement on 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' (National Unity Day) has sparked renewed attention on the government's ambitious plans for a unified India. He declared that India is moving towards a 'One Nation One Poll' system and a 'Secular Civil Code,' marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape. This statement further solidifies the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's commitment to achieving national unity and a common legal framework for all citizens.
The proposed 'One Nation One Poll' system, which aims to synchronize all national, state, and local elections into a single event, has been a long-standing ambition of the BJP. The government believes this will streamline the electoral process, reduce costs, and enhance administrative efficiency. However, critics argue that such a system could potentially disadvantage certain political parties and create logistical challenges. Despite these concerns, the government is determined to push for this reform, seeing it as a crucial step towards consolidating its power and achieving national unity.
The 'Secular Civil Code' is another key element of this transformative agenda. The government aims to replace the current patchwork of personal laws based on religion with a uniform code that applies equally to all citizens. The objective is to eliminate discriminatory practices and establish a system based on principles of equality and justice. This has been a long-debated topic in India, with supporters highlighting the need for uniformity and opponents raising concerns about religious freedom and cultural sensitivity. The recent move by the BJP-led government in Uttarakhand to pass a uniform civil code in the state assembly serves as a test case for the national rollout.
PM Modi's speech also emphasized the success of various 'One Nation' initiatives already implemented by the government. He highlighted the success of Aadhaar, the national biometric identity card, and its global recognition. He also referenced the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as a crucial step towards a unified tax system. The Prime Minister further highlighted the impact of 'One Nation One Ration Card', enabling access to subsidized food for the poor across the country, and 'One Nation One Health Insurance' under the Aayushman Bharat scheme. These existing initiatives serve as a demonstration of the government's commitment to achieving national unity and providing equitable access to essential services for all citizens.
The pursuit of a 'One Nation One Poll' and a 'Secular Civil Code' is likely to face resistance from various groups who see these initiatives as a threat to their identity and rights. The debate surrounding these reforms is likely to intensify in the coming months, with political parties aligning themselves along these lines. Whether these reforms will be successful in achieving the government's objectives of national unity and social justice remains to be seen. The implementation of such far-reaching changes requires careful consideration, broad-based consensus, and a commitment to safeguarding the rights of all citizens.
Source: 'India moving towards One Nation One Poll & Secular Civil Code': PM Modi on 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas'