Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his advocacy of a uniform civil code (UCC), argued, “If there is one law for one member in a house and another for the other, will the house be able to run? So how will the country be able to run with such a dual system?” His remark suggests India has been unable to function efficiently because of its diverse personal laws. Always quick to take a cue from Modi, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar said a uniform civil code will “bind Bharat, its nationalism more effectively.”

Their remarks are illogical. Manipur burns today not because the Kukis pay bride price to the girl’s family. Kashmir’s separatist movement was sparked not because Muslims have a different system of divorce than that of others. The Anand Marriage Act, under which traditional Sikh marriages are registered, did not fan the Punjab militancy decades ago. Dalits are killed for riding a bike even though they subscribe to the Hindu law. Tribal customs cannot account for Maoists enjoying support among Adivasis.