UNIFORM CIVIL CODE

state property. Nor should you attempt to stop the economic cycle, as this would spell ruination for the country. If you lose an election you should in your heart of hearts accept your defeat. A refusal to accept defeat results in the perversion of the entire political system. If you hold an office of responsibility, you must avoid reprehensible conduct for monetary benefit, because such behaviour has an adverse effect on the economic structure of the country. Once you have managed to capture the seat of power, you should not wish to cling to it forever; such political selfishness brings the democratic structure of the country to the verge of annihilation. If you are a leader, you should not give your entire attention to your own election interest; if you stoop to arousing fear and hatred in one group or the other to create your votebank, you are in a sense reducing the country to political bankruptcy. True patriotism is essential for the advancement of the country. But this is the very thing which does not exist in our country. It appears as though everyone has become a self-lover instead of a lover of his country. Everyone has allowed the interests of the country to be eclipsed by his own personal interests. It is this self-worship which has brought the country to the ruination about which there is general lamentation. Patriotism can never be produced from superficial steps like adopting a common civil code. People’s thinking will rather have to be turned in a constructive direction. For this we shall have to educate the public by availing of all resources. We shall have to launch an ongoing and extensive campaign of intellectual awakening and awareness. This is undoubtedly a monumental task. But it has to be conceded that there is no substitute for it. There is simply no alternative. o Islam Islam is a scheme of spiritual development. Whenever there is a clash between personal demands and the demands of the nation, individual interests must be subordinated to national interests.