PM Modi vows UCC rollout in Assam; accuses Congress of 'divisive politics'

Gogamukh (Assam) [India], April 1 (HBTV): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday vowed to implement the Uniform Civil Code in Assam while reiterating the state government's commitment to protecting tribal traditions, Sixth Schedule areas, and preserving Assam's identity.

Addressing a public rally in Gogamukh, the Prime Minister said several key decisions have been taken to ensure dignity, safety, and equal rights, particularly for women.

'To ensure that no deceit is done to our daughters, many major announcements have also been made to ensure the dignity, respect, and safety of our daughters' lives. Implementing the Uniform Civil Code in Assam and protecting the traditions of our tribal society, Sixth Schedule areas, or saving Assam's identity are very big announcements. The BJP does what it says,' he said.

Launching a sharp attack on the Congress party, Narendra Modi accused it of pursuing divisive politics, alleging that it had earlier attempted to introduce legislation that could have created divisions in society.

Referring to the pre-2014 period, the Prime Minister claimed that the Congress-led government had proposed a communal violence bill aimed at appeasing a 'particular vote bank.' He recalled the BJP's opposition to the proposed legislation, stating that the party had strongly protested against it while warning about its potential consequences.

'Before 2014, the Congress-led central government tried to bring a communal violence bill. Its objective was to appease its guaranteed vote bank. In this bill, the majority community would have been treated as the culprit in violence and religious minorities would have been declared victims. This was a divisive bill. The BJP fought against it. Had this bill been passed, imagine the harassment the majority of society would have faced. Now, 12 years later, Congress is trying to bring a similar bill in Assam. Congress leaders are openly saying this to win the elections,' he said.

He further alleged that similar approaches are now being attempted in Assam for electoral gains. 'First, the Muslim League and now Congress are trying to divide the country,' the Prime Minister added.

Referring to the BJP's manifesto, the Prime Minister termed it as 'Mangal Patra', adding that it would bring 'Mangal' (auspiciousness) to the state.

'The Assam BJP released a splendid manifesto yesterday. It was Tuesday, and this manifesto released on Tuesday is set to bring more "Mangal" (auspiciousness) to Assam. This is the "Mangal Patra" that arrived on Tuesday,' he said.

He noted that Assam has witnessed significant development over the past decade, while stating that the current youth have only seen the BJP's governance and not the previous Congress rule.

'In the past decade, Assam has traversed a long journey of development. These 20-25-year-old youngsters have only witnessed the good governance of the BJP-NDA. They have not seen the dark era of Congress rule, when news from Assam was only about bombs, guns, riots, and curfews. The double-engine government has shown Assam a new path to lasting peace. Thousands of Assam's sons and daughters have, in the past decade, put down the gun and connected to a new future,' he said.

The Prime Minister also criticised the Congress over connectivity across the Brahmaputra river, alleging that the party failed to address infrastructure gaps during its tenure.

'Assam has been gifted so much by nature; Assam has never lacked resources. But for the sake of power, Congress divided the society of Assam and never allowed the two banks of the Brahmaputra to connect. In 60-65 years, Congress built only three bridges over the Brahmaputra. Due to the lack of bridges, we lost so many people. The double-engine government understood this problem and completed five major bridges over the Brahmaputra in just 10-11 years,' he said.

Polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. Assam will witness a contest between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and the Congress for the 126-seat Assembly.

The BJP is contesting the elections along with Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF).

The NDA will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to return to power. (ANI)