Policy Watch: Will a Uniform Civil Code Divide or Unite? | Iconic India Club closes
With General Elections looming, count on the UCC being in the news more.
Hi there,
We have a full house later this week for our event with fashion designer Rina Dhaka in conversation with Sangeeta Waldron. This is the latest in our Summer of arts programming, starting from a fashion show and classical dance performances during our flagship Ideas for India conference in May, a sarod and art soiree one evening in leafy suburban London, a discussion on the Jaipur Literature Festival with Sanjoy Roy, and with our Ramayana puppet show coming up later in the year.
On 76 years of Independence, Advisory Board Member Hon’ble Pitu Suri was featured in leading diaspora publication Asian Voice this week, alongside Lord Meghnad Desai and Lord Karan Bilimoria:
“India’s economy is one of the global bright spots today. With companies such as Apple looking at India as a counterweight to manufacturing in China, the establishment of a world-leading digital India Stack including the UPI, and the advent of a contemporary, principle-based framework to govern personal data, prospects for India are looking up.
“India’s standing on a geopolitical stage has certainly increased in recent years. For this to continue in its current trajectory, the country should focus on upholding the democratic values and build its institutions for the coming decades.”
Welcome to Diya Iyer, incoming second year PPE student at King’s College London, to the Bridge India team. She is aspiring to pursue a career in public policy and legal administration, with interests in journalism, news media and non-profits. Diya will be working with Bridge India throughout the next year.
Historic India Club in London closes
The India Club, a London landmark with links to Krishna Menon, the India League and the fight for Indian Independence in the UK, is finally to close permanently. Yadgar Marker and his daughter Phiroza, who have held the lease on the premises at 143-145 The Strand, announced its demise in the last few days: “It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the closure of the India Club, with our last day open to the public on September 17.”
Freeholders Marston Properties have revealed in court documents that they intend to gut the place and put up a luxury hotel.
Speaking to BJP booth workers in Madhya Pradesh in June 2023, Prime Minister Modi revisited the issue of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). UCC is a body of laws that would govern a range of personal matters in the same way for all citizens, regardless of religion, replacing personal religious laws currently existing in India.
With the General Elections coming up in 2024 in India, expect the issue of the UCC becoming more of a political hot potato. There is plenty of potential for the usual Hindu-Muslim, BJP-Congress, and ‘anti-national nexus’ tropes.
But read on for a more sober analysis of the topic.
Upcoming events:
Asian Achievers Awards (6:30pm, Fri 15 September | London Hilton on Park Lane | Book here)
Ticket bookings close next week. Join more than 600 guests in a glittering black-tie dinner evening with music, dance and comedy performances. The Shortlist for the Awards has been announced here. To book, note that there are special discounts available for Bridge India Members.
The Filmy Shilmy Show: A spotlight on British Asian filmmakers (6:30pm, Fri 22 September | Rich Mix, Shoreditch, London | Book here)
The first edition of the show will see candid conversation with three award-winning filmmakers including Pravesh Kuma MBE, Nathalia Syam and Dr Parvinder Shergill, in conversation with Anuj Radia.
The discussion will centre around the process of making cinema that is rooted and reflective of ethnic lives within the Western world, as well as touching on the wider themes of the films and the challenges independent filmmakers face in gaining mainstream traction.
Ramayana: A puppet show (6pm, Fri 10 Nov | Central London | Book here)
The Ramayana Puppet Show is StoryHour UK flagship performance. A timeless piece of culture and art, this story narrates the epic tale behind the festival of Diwali, using uniquely hand-crafted puppets. Having been performed across many different audiences, this puppet show has been celebrated for capturing the essence of a classic. The show has been screened at various Indian embassies across Europe and schools in London while also being readily available in 6 languages here. It has been applauded by Indian Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor, author Amish Tripathi and others.
Alongside a screening of the puppet show, there will be live puppeteers demonstrating scenes from the Ramayana, with an installation of the six puppets, followed by a talk and Q&A with producer Neelima Penumarthy.
When: 5 – 6:30pm, Wed 19 July
Where: Central London
Book: Bridge India Members: £10 | Others: £20 bookable here | Drinks and snacks provided
Why become a Member of Bridge India?
Well, because just in the last two months, we’ve won an Award for our work, launched our first university chapter at King’s College, being featured in The Daily Telegraph and hosted multiple events with change-makers in London and elsewhere. Not to mention we’ve some facilitated incredible connections between Members.
Become an Individual or Corporate Member of Bridge India. Here’s what we offer:
Events with world leaders and experts
Powerful networking opportunities
Build a deeper understanding of India
Engage in non-partisan, respectful discussion, away from the ‘noise’
Join a set of Members an NDTV report once called “change-makers”
Dedicated account manager to introduce you to other Members
Opportunity to curate and co-host events, and jointly publish thought leadership
Access to trusteeships, professional roles, invitations to special events and more
Individual Membership is £250 annually (with Gift Aid for UK tax payers; Concessions £125) and there are several Corporate Membership options available.
Policy Watch: Will a Uniform Civil Code Divide or Unite?
Speaking to BJP booth workers in Madhya Pradesh in June 2023, Prime Minister Modi revisited the issue of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). UCC is a body of laws that would govern a range of personal matters in the same way for all citizens, regardless of religion, replacing personal religious laws currently existing in India.
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