The Prime Minister has batted for Uniform Civil Code on the front foot and it's no longer a theoretical debate anymore as right wing supporters of the BJP have defended it, and religious orthodoxy and some opposition have flayed it. A uniform civil code is a directive principle of the Constitution and it had the support of great architects of India including Nehru, Ambedkar and Ram Manohar Lohia. The philosophical essence of Uniform Civil Code is equality among all citizens of the country irrespective of caste, creed and religion. It is also not Hindu Civil code nor does it mean homogenisation of culture, faith or rituals. But a well-drafted UCC should be a law protecting the citizens equal rights and Indians should be free to profess, propagate and practice own religions as it is enshrined in the Constitution. Goa which was separated from India due to colonial rule in the erstwhile Portuguese Goa and Daman, retained a common law know as the Goa Civil Code till date which can be an educative example for the required public debate on what has worked and what has not.
