I-Day Speech: PM Modi bats for UCC, One Nation One Election

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday batted for two crucial issues -- Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and One Nation One Election-- and said both of these were the need of the hour and would help in the progress of the country.

Addressing the nation from the rampart of the Red Fort here on the occasion of 78th Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi said, "We have spent 75 years with a 'communal' civil code. We now have to move towards 'secular' civil code so that discrimination happening on the basis of religion does not have a place in our country".

"I say that today the need of the hour is to have a 'secular' civil code in the country. Our Constitution makers had a dream and it is our duty to fulfill that dream," Modi stressed.

Opening the scope for discussions and suggestions on UCC, the Prime Minister said, "I believe that there should be a wide discussion on such a crucial topic. Let people come up with suggestions. The law that divides the country on the basis of religion and which becomes a reason for discrimination should not have a place in the modern society".

He also touched on another issue that the NDA government has been in favour of - One Nation One Election.

The Prime Minister said recurring elections were obstrcuting the country's development.

"The country is witnessing elections every two to six months and linking any scheme to elections has become very easy. Any scheme announced is linked to election. There had been a comprehensive discussion. All political parties have put forth their views. One committees has prepared a very good report".

"I urge the political parties, those who understand the Constitution of the country that for the development of Bharat and the utility of the country's resources for its people, we have to come forward and support One Nation One Election," Modi said.