Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday said the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a significant step towards achieving justice for women. Speaking at Bharati College on the theme ‘Role of Women in Viksit Bharat’, Dhankhar highlighted the UCC’s “constitutional basis and its potential impact on gender justice.”
“UCC is a constitutional ordainment. It is in the Directive Principles of the Constitution. The Supreme Court has observed that its implementation has been delayed. The UCC will help in various ways, but its major contribution will be as a measure of justice for women,” Dhankhar stated.
Addressing the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, Dhankhar described the incident as “painful” and called for a stronger legal framework to deter such crimes. He echoed President Droupadi Murmu’s call to end violence against women, urging the nation to unite behind her message of “enough is enough.”
Dhankhar criticized Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Kapil Sibal for his comments on the tragic incident, which Sibal referred to as a “symptomatic malaise” in a purported SCBA resolution. “I am appalled and pained that a person in such a position could trivialize the suffering of our girls,” Dhankhar said, condemning the suggestion that such incidents are commonplace.
Praising President Murmu, Dhankhar highlighted her “unique perspective as a tribal woman who understands the harsh realities on the ground.”
“President Murmu has seen the ground reality. She rightly expressed that enough is enough for crimes against women. This must become a national call. Every citizen must heed her warning,” he said.
Dhankhar said there’s need for women’s financial independence, encouraging young women to be self-reliant to fully unleash their potential.
“Girls are the most important stakeholders in the development of the nation. They are the backbone of the rural economy, agro-economy, and informal sectors,” he said.
The Vice President said that achieving a developed India by 2047 is impossible without the full participation of women. “The very thought of India as a developed nation without the participation of girls and women is not rational. With your energy and talent, the dream of a developed India will be fulfilled,” he added.
Dhankhar also spoke out against “anti-national” narratives that he sees as the biggest challenge to India’s progress. He urged students and citizens to prioritize the national interest above political and ideological differences, saying that unity is essential for the country’s development.
