Congress leader calls Uniform Civil Code an ‘election gimmick’ of BJP

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: During the ongoing debate surrounding the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India, H Vishwanath, a Member of the Legislative Council and Congress leader, dismissed it as a mere "election gimmick" by the BJP and asserted that it would not be implemented in the country.

Vishwanath, who secured his position in the Upper House through the writers' quota during the BJP government in Karnataka, switched to Congress just before the Assembly elections.

A longside 16 ot her leaders, Vishwanath's defection aided BS Yediyurappa in regaining power.

Since joining the Congress, Vishwanath has been vocally criticising BJP leaders at both the State and central levels. In his latest critique, the 73-year-old leader labelled the UCC as a political ploy by the BJP.

"The Uniform Civil Code is a significant matter that certain leaders have been attempting to implement for many years. However, we function within a federal system, and every state must agree to it. This issue has only resurfaced because of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. They are pursuing it for the sake of vote bank politics. The UCC cannot be implemented," Vishwanath expressed in Mysuru.

The 21st Law Commission has sought fresh suggestions from the public and religious organisations regarding the UCC. Recently, Prime Minister Modi endorsed the UCC, asserting that the country cannot operate under two sets of laws.