We Will Opine When We See Draft: Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on HP Minister's Support to UCC

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Saturday said that the party's stand on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be decided at a party-level strategy meeting.

Tiwari's statement comes after Himachal Pradesh PWD minister Vikramaditya Singh expressed his support for the UCC. Singh is the first Congress leader to do so.Singh is the son of Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh. His late father Virbhadra Singh was a six-time chief minister of the state.

On Facebook, the Congress leader said in Hindi, "I fully support the Uniform Civil Code which is necessary for India's unity and integrity, but it should not be politicised." He questioned why the NDA government at the Centre did not implement such a law when it enjoyed a complete majority in Parliament for nine years. "Why is there propaganda on it just a few months before the elections," he asked.

Tiwari said that the Congress will not take a decision on the UCC based on individual opinions. He said that the party will wait to see the draft of the UCC before making a decision.

Tiwari also alleged that the BJP-led central government is trying to divert people's attention from real issues by bringing up the UCC. He said that the Congress will take a decision that is in the best interests of the people.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong pitch for the UCC. He said that the UCC is necessary for India's unity and integrity.

The Congress has opposed the UCC, claiming that it is a divisive issue. The party has said that the UCC will interfere with the personal laws of religious minorities.

In neighbouring Uttarakhand, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that the state will soon have a common civil code. He said that a panel appointed by the state government has already prepared a draft of the UCC.

The UCC is a controversial issue in India. It is seen by some as a way to promote equality and uniformity among citizens. However, it is also seen by others as a threat to religious freedom and minority rights.