Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday, 13 August 2026, used the Sansad Youth Parliament 2026 at the Madhya Pradesh Assembly in Bhopal to champion the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and call on young Indians to enter public life. Addressing more than 52 participants from 12 states, Yadav framed political participation as a national duty ahead of the country's 80th Independence Day.

The Call to Youth

Chief Minister Yadav urged the assembled delegates to look beyond conventional career paths. “Young people should come into politics and play an active role in strengthening democracy. They can become doctors and engineers, but they should also come forward in politics and contribute to nation-building,” he said.

Describing the Assembly premises as a ‘mini India’ given the diversity of participants, Yadav said the presence of young people from across states reflected the country’s pluralism and potential. The event, held just days before Independence Day, was framed as a platform to connect youth with legislative processes.

Uniform Civil Code at the Centre of His Address

A significant portion of Yadav’s speech focused on the Uniform Civil Code, which the Madhya Pradesh government has been moving to implement. He said the state had conducted wide consultations across districts and communities before proceeding with the legislation.

Yadav claimed that 76 per cent of Muslim women surveyed had expressed support for the UCC. “For us, the law should be equal for Ram and Rahim. No community, including Muslim women, should be deprived of their rights for the sake of vote-bank politics,” he said.

He positioned Madhya Pradesh as one of the leading states to have passed a Bill for UCC implementation, describing it as a step toward the principle of ‘one country, one law.’ This comes amid ongoing national debate over whether a uniform personal law framework can be applied across India’s religiously diverse population without infringing on minority rights — a concern critics have repeatedly raised.

Cultural and Constitutional Anchors

Yadav also invoked India’s philosophical traditions, citing Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the Sanskrit principle meaning ‘The World is One Family’ — as a foundation for national progress rooted in unity and mutual respect.

Referring to the Ayodhya Ram temple, he noted that Indian citizens had respected the judiciary’s role in resolving the matter, citing the Supreme Court judgment that cleared the path for the temple’s construction as an example of constitutional trust.

Tribute to Freedom Fighters

On the eve of Independence Day, Yadav recalled the contributions of freedom fighters, including Subhas Chandra Bose, and said the sacrifices of that generation placed a responsibility on today’s youth to actively contribute to India’s development — not just economically, but through civic and political engagement.

With the UCC debate intensifying at the national level and state-level implementations being closely watched, Madhya Pradesh’s moves on the legislation are likely to remain a focal point in the run-up to future electoral cycles.