Congress Condemns PM Modi's 'Communal Civil Code' Remark: An Insult to Ambedkar

The Congress criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement calling the existing civil code 'communal.' The opposition party claimed it was an insult to B.R. Ambedkar and accused Modi of distorting history. Modi's statement, made during his Independence Day address, emphasized the need for a secular civil code to eliminate discrimination.

The Congress on Thursday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments referring to the existing civil code as a 'communal civil code.' The party labeled the remark a 'gross insult' to B.R. Ambedkar and accused Modi of distorting historical facts from the Red Fort.

The controversy erupted after Modi advocated for a 'secular civil code,' stating that the current code discriminates among people. 'A large section of the country believes, which is true also, that the civil code is actually a communal civil code. It discriminates,' Modi said during his Independence Day address.

Responding sharply, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh slammed the prime minister for his 'malice, mischief, and maligning of history.' Ramesh underscored that claiming the existing laws are 'communal' dishonors Dr. Ambedkar, who had championed reforms in Hindu personal laws. He pointed to the 21st Law Commission's Consultation Paper on Family Law, which argued against a uniform civil code at this stage while emphasizing that societal differences do not necessarily equate to discrimination.