The enthusiasm surrounding the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Madhya Pradesh was on full display on Thursday as Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav arrived in Indore. Large crowds comprising people from different communities gathered to welcome the Chief Minister and express their support for the UCC Bill, which was recently passed by the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
According to the state government, members of various religious communities, along with the general public, participated in the reception. A notable feature of the welcome was the participation of Muslim women, who thanked Dr Yadav for the passage of the UCC Bill and extended their greetings to him.
Indore's public greeting MP CM Dr Mohan Yadav
During his visit, the Chief Minister also inaugurated a lane of the Lav Kush Level-2 Bridge in Indore, marking another milestone in the city's ongoing infrastructure development.
CM pays tribute to freedom fighters
Addressing the media after the inauguration programme, CM Dr Mohan Yadav paid tribute to revolutionary freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad on his birth anniversary. He said the nation was fortunate to have produced revolutionaries such as Chandrashekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh, whose sacrifices paved the way for India's independence.
The Chief Minister stated that these freedom fighters had envisioned an India where every citizen would enjoy equal opportunities, be treated with equality and live under a common legal framework. He said that, under the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, several long-pending initiatives inspired by the ideals of the country's freedom fighters were now being implemented.
Congratulating the people of Madhya Pradesh, CM Dr Yadav welcomed the passage of the Uniform Civil Code Bill in the Assembly and described it as a significant step towards ensuring equal legal rights for all citizens.
35 million people contacted during consultation drive
Highlighting the public consultation process, the Chief Minister said people from different faiths had openly supported the government's decision to introduce the Uniform Civil Code.
MP CM Dr Yadav taking stock of the bridge
He stated that the government had reached out to more than 35 million people during the consultation exercise and received nearly one million suggestions in support of the proposed legislation.
According to CM Dr Yadav, once the law comes into force, Madhya Pradesh will join the ranks of major Indian states that have adopted a common legal framework aimed at safeguarding citizens' rights.
He said the UCC would govern matters including marriage, divorce and inheritance, ensuring that the same legal provisions apply to all citizens, irrespective of whether they are Hindus, Muslims, Parsis or Christians. Reiterating the government's position, he said the state was committed to the principle of "One Nation, One Law, One Flag and One Leader."
Indore continues to lead state's development
Speaking about the city's growth, CM Dr Yadav described Indore as a driving force behind Madhya Pradesh's development. He said the city consistently opened new avenues of progress for the rest of the state.
Praising the newly developed double-decker bridge, the Chief Minister called it an outstanding example of modern engineering. He noted that the structure uniquely integrates a road bridge, an elevated railway corridor and another bridge above it, showcasing Indore's ability to execute complex infrastructure projects. He congratulated everyone associated with the ambitious development.