Nagaland: NDPP and NTPRADAO oppose UCC

The Centre’s move to come up with a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has sparked widespread debate across the nation and in the Northeastern region too.

The Neiphiu Rio-led NDPP in Nagaland said that implementing the UCC will have a negative impact on the freedom and rights of the minority communities and the tribal people of India.

A statement issued by the NDPP said that introduction of the UCC may create “a sentimental and emotional divide,” which would not be good for national integration.

Meanwhile a little known organization called the Nagaland Transparency, Public Rights Advocacy & Direct Action Organisation ( NTPRADAO ) has threatened to storm and attack each of the 60 legislators’ official quarters and burn it down to ashes if the present 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly succumbs to outside forces and passes a bill in support of the UCC.

NTPRADAO has termed the proposed UCC as unnecessary, impractical and extremely harmful for a pluralistic country, which is based on unity in diversity.

To bolster its claim, the organization has referred to Article 371A and Article 371G of the Indian Constitution, wherein tribes from the Northeast are guaranteed special provisions that restrict the parliament from enacting any law which supersedes their family laws.

NTPRADAO was officially launched in Dimapur only a month ago, on May 31, with the objective – ‘Nagaland For Better Living.’

The organisation has 32 state level office bearers and executive committee members, representing two each from all the 16 districts in Nagaland.

It may be mentioned here that earlier, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has reiterated his opposition to the concept of UCC and said, “It goes against the actual idea of India itself. India is a diverse, and the diversity is our strength.”

Putting it in context of Meghalaya, Sangma said, “From a basic point of view we are a matrilineal society and that is what our strength and culture have been and that cannot be changed for us.”

Conrad Sangma pointed out that the NPP wants the unique culture and unique ways of the society in the entire Northeast to remain intact. In fact Sangma said,” We would not want that to be touched.”

He further affirmed that UCC totally goes against the entire idea of India being a diverse nation and diversity, which he termed is the strength and identity.
“UCC will go against that idea. That is what the NPP feels,” he added.

If reports are to be believed, the Centre is considering to introduce a bill on implementing UCC during the upcoming session of Parliament.

The concept of a UCC 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.