Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the ‘Equality and Harmony’ program organized at Acharya Camp, Sector-09, Gangeshwar Marg, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. On this occasion, all the saints honored the Chief Minister for being the first to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state of Uttarakhand. The saints also felicitated him with floral garlands.
Expressing his gratitude to all the saints, the Chief Minister said that receiving the blessings of revered saints on the sacred land of Triveni, during the auspicious occasion of Mahakumbh, is a great fortune. He stated that the blessings of saints are essential for Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India. He added that implementing the UCC is a step towards building a developed nation, and the honor bestowed upon him by the saints is, in fact, an honor for every citizen of Uttarakhand.
The Chief Minister said that before the 2022 assembly elections, they had pledged to implement the UCC in Uttarakhand. The people blessed them, and after forming the government, the first decision taken in the cabinet meeting was to constitute a committee for the UCC. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Uttarakhand became the first state in independent India to implement the Uniform Civil Code.
Dhami further stated that the law now applies equally to all people in Uttarakhand, regardless of their religion or caste. He attributed the successful implementation of the UCC in the state to the blessings of Prime Minister Modi. The Chief Minister also referred to the framers of the Constitution, who envisioned uniform laws for all citizens.
Highlighting Uttarakhand as a land of Gods (Devbhoomi), Dhami said that the state, known for the Ganga, Yamuna, Char Dham, and the presence of saints, is a place where every family has a member in the armed forces, serving the nation. He added that the state’s youth are actively serving the nation in every part of the country.
The Chief Minister called the Maha Kumbh a symbol of the vastness of India’s Sanatan culture. He noted that receiving the blessings of great saints during the Kumbh was one of the most significant achievements of his life. Dhami emphasized that Sanatan culture has always embraced unity and equality, teaching people the right to equality. Inspired by this, the Uttarakhand government took the bold step to implement the UCC.
Describing the UCC as a revolutionary step toward justice and equality, Dhami stated that the UCC, which originated in Uttarakhand, would spread across the entire country. He added that the implementation of the UCC also aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of “Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat” (One India, Great India). This initiative, Dhami said, is also crucial for future generations.
Referring to the tragic murder of Shraddha Walkar in Delhi in 2022, the Chief Minister asserted that after the UCC’s implementation, such incidents would be completely eradicated. He assured that no one would be able to commit crimes against women in the future. He expressed confidence that all states would eventually adopt the UCC.
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri Maharaj praised Uttarakhand as a divine place and expressed deep affection for the state’s Chief Minister, saying that he was loved by all saints. Swami Kailashanand Giri also pointed out that despite being a small state, Uttarakhand became the first to implement the UCC. He commended Chief Minister Dhami for strengthening India by bringing this law into effect and predicted that other states would follow Uttarakhand’s example.
Swami Kailashanand Giri further noted that the implementation of the UCC by the Uttarakhand government had eliminated societal discrimination and demonstrated the state’s sensitivity to Indian traditions. He expressed immense pride that the state, where the saints reside, had led the nation by implementing the UCC. He also mentioned that the UCC committee had interacted with saints for their opinions before making the law a reality.
Swami Chidanand Muni Maharaj stated that Uttarakhand, with its four Dhams, the sacred rivers Ganga and Yamuna, had chosen Chief Minister Dhami for his dedication to serving the state. He highlighted the special bond between Prime Minister Modi and Uttarakhand and lauded Dhami’s efforts in fulfilling the demand for UCC, which enhanced the prestige of India. He further remarked that under Dhami’s leadership, Uttarakhand had taken a significant step by implementing the UCC, which speaks for the entire society and paves a new path for India.
The event also saw the presence of several revered saints, including Mahamandaleshwar Swami Balkananad Giri Maharaj, Mahant Ravindrapuri Maharaj, Mahant Hari Giri Maharaj, Mahamandaleshwar Narayan Giri Maharaj, Mahamandaleshwar Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, and Mahamandaleshwar Swami Ashutoshanand Giri Maharaj, among a large number of devotees.
