Northeast’s stand on Uniform Civil Code

The Centre’s purported move to draft a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for the country continue to ignite widespread discussion in academic, political, and social circles.

While concerns about the proposed uniform personal law are commonly associated with Muslims and other religious minorities, the debate has been equally heated in many parts of the Northeast where Hindu, Christian, and Muslim communities coexist.

There are concerns among the region’s various indigenous communities that a Uniform Civil Code, particularly one of a majoritarian type, would violate long-standing customs and practices protected by the Constitution.

What is Northeast’s stand on UCC?

Well, many political parties, tribal communities and non-political organisations are strongly opposing the UCC in almost all the Northeastern states.

The Neiphiu Rio-led Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) in Nagaland, National People’s Party (NPP) in Meghalaya, Mizo National Front (MNF) in Mizoram, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM),Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF), Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu and many others have expressed their opposition to the implementation of UCC across India.

Nagaland
Speaking about the contentious issue of UCC, during his speech on Independence Day on August 15, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said, “The matter has raised deep anxiety among various sections of the society. Keeping in view the sentiments of the people, the State Cabinet has urged the Law Commission to exempt Nagaland from the purview of UCC in view of its serious implications on the privileges guaranteed under Article 371A. The Council of Ministers also met the Hon’ble Union Home Minister in this regard, and I am happy to share with you all, his assurance that UCC would not be applicable to the Scheduled Tribes of Nagaland and of the North East.”

Mizoram

Earlier, the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) in Mizoram, an alliance partner of the BJP, both in NDA and NEDA also expressed its opposition to the implementation of the proposed UCC.

MNF President and Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga in July, sent a letter to the Law Commission and said that the Mizoram Assembly on February 14, 2023, already unanimously resolved to oppose any steps taken or proposed to be taken for the enactment of UCC in India.

Zoramthanga said that when the MNF signed an agreement with the Government of India on June 30, 1986, it was agreed that “no Act of Parliament in respect of Religious or Social practices of the Mizos, Mizo customary law and procedure will be implemented in the state unless the state Legislative Assembly decides to pass such a resolution.

Meghalaya

NPP national president and Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma speaking from his party’s point of view 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.”

He 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.

Sikkim

Leader of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) has also expressed opposistion to the implementation of UCC and categorically said that UCC will not be implemented in Sikkim.

“We are not like other states. We have special protection under Article 371 (f). In states with special protection, the UCC will not be implemented,” he was quoted as saying to a nationa media.

Arunachal Pradesh
Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju said that UCC is not relevant in the state and the tribal areas.

The concept of 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.

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