Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation in a speech on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on Thursday at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, advocating for a “one nation, one civil code” in India, something that has been on the current government’s agenda for a long time.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is celebrated yearly on the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel, October 31, in his honour. Referencing the revolutionary freedom fighter’s ideals of national unity, PM Modi said, “The policies and intentions of the previous governments had the expression of discrimination. It was weakening the unity of the country. In the last ten years, the new model of good governance has eliminated every echo of discrimination. We have chosen the path of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, and all beneficiary schemes are reaching all homes without any discrimination… this trust will boost India’s development. I am confident that in all our policies, decisions, and intentions, unity is our pranshaktiand Sardar saheb’s soul, wherever it may be, it is blessing us.”
Warning Indian citizens against the threat to national unity, PM Modi spoke of urban Naxals who seek to “paint India’s image in a negative light.” The term urban Naxals has been used frequently and often recklessly by the Modi camp to label individuals who have opposing views to those of the ruling party. Modi’s comments come just before Maharashtra is scheduled for its assembly elections on November 20.
In his speech, Modi referred to the GST tax regime as “one nation, one tax,” the Ayushman Bharat scheme as “one nation, one health insurance,” and the Aadhaar as “one nation, one identity.” In the context of the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Modi spoke of the importance of “one nation, one Constitution,” and even highlighted the recently held democratic elections in J&K as the triumph of equality and democracy.
