Can’t pass resolution against implementation of UCC without knowing contents: Meghalaya CM

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly can not pass a resolution against the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), without knowing its contents.

On the third day of the autumn session of the 11 Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Mawhati MLA Charles Marngar moved a resolution requesting the assembly to adopt a unanimous resolution opposing the UCC.

In response to that CM Sangma said, “My viewpoint as the Chief Minister of Meghalaya and the president of the NPP has always been that we are a diverse nation and diversity is what makes us strong, hence the idea of the UCC is not acceptable to us.

“As Legislature , if we are to pass a Bill, the first thing we need to have in front of us is the draft Bill itself. I have not seen the Bill, so I do not know if it mentions protecting or exempting tribal people, if it says that Meghalaya or the Northeast will be exempted, or if it says that it only applies to a specific society. Therefore, as legislatures, without reviewing the content of what the Bill intends to do, it really would not be appropriate for us at this point in time to pass a resolution,” said CM Sangma.

CM sangma further said, “If there is anything in the Bill that is going to touch or dilute the cultural and the religious practices of the tribals and the indigenous people of our region, the MDA government will oppose that particular move.”

The Centre is considering to introduce a bill on implementing Uniform Civil Code during the upcoming session of Parliament.

The concept of a uniform civil code involves the formulation and implementation of personal laws that would apply to all citizens of India, irrespective of their religion, sex, gender, or sexual orientation. At present, personal laws are governed by religious scriptures within various communities.