NDA's northeast allies oppose Uniform Civil Code: 'It will curb rights of indigenous'

GUWAHATI: The ongoing exercise to bring in uniform civil code (UCC) has triggered angry reactions in north-eastern states with NDA’s allies fearing that it would curb freedoms and rights of indigenous tribes of the region.

Amid the angry reaction of various tribal bodies, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma told reporters that “UCC goes against the actual idea of India itself”.  

Clarifying that UCC was not acceptable to them, Mr Sangma, who is also the president of National People's Party (NPP)  BJP’s closest allies in the north-east told reporters, “The UCC  will break our society, we can't accept it.”

Mr Sangma said, “The uniform civil code (UCC) is not acceptable to the NPP. It will have a negative impact on the culture and way of life of the tribal people in Meghalaya.”

Arguing that this is a departure from the stance of the ruling BJP, Mr Sangma said, "As a political party, we realise that the entire northeast has unique cultures. We want it to remain as it is. It should not be touched.”

In Nagaland, BJP's other ally, the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), also opposed the move stating  that "implementing UCC will have a negative impact on the freedom and rights of the minority communities and tribal people of India".

The party said that in view of the public notice issued by the 22nd Law Commission of India (LCI) on June 14, the NDPP is of the strong and firm opinion that introducing a common civil code for the populace will surely have adverse results in achieving the ideals of the country. “This, in turn, will surely create a sentimental and emotional divide which will not be good for national integration,” it said.

“Nagaland became the 16th State of the Indian Union through a political agreement between the two sides and became a full-fledged State after the Gol recognized the struggle and history of the Nagas. The Nagas have ensured the protection of our customary practices and traditions by the insertion of Article 371(A) in the Constitution of India,” the party said.

The NDPP also pointed out that the Indo-Naga political dialogue for a peaceful and honorable settlement was also at a crucial juncture, adding that it would be unwise to put in place a law such as the UCC, which is bound to have significant consequences on the positive path the political process has taken over the last 26 years of negotiations.

“Having endured a long period of turmoil and bloodshed, today the Nagas want the peace that has been in place since the negotiations began, to become permanent. However, to introduce a new law that will have deep impact upon the personal laws of the people will instead create further uncertainty and has the serious potential to threaten the peaceful environment,” the NDPP said.

Citing the Indian Constitution, the party pointed out that India is a secular and democratic Republic, which promises to promote fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.

Mizoram, which has the highest tribal population in the region at over 94 percent, had cemented its anti-UCC position in February last when the assembly unanimously adopted an official resolution to oppose the code.

Mizoram home minister Lalchamliana asserted that UCC, even if legislated by Parliament, would not be implemented in Mizoram unless the state legislature by a resolution so decides.

Nagaland Transparency, Public Rights Advocacy & Direct Action Org. (NTPRADAO), an organization with over three thousand plus members based in Nagaland has issued a strong warning to lawmakers. The group asserts that if the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) succumbs to external pressures and passes a bill in support of the UCC, they will resort to extreme measures. NTPRADAO threatened to storm and set ablaze the official quarters of all 60 legislators in a direct act of protest.

In a related development, the Rising People's Party (RPP) has also expressed its opposition to the implementation of the UCC, aligning it with the narrative of "One nation, One religion, One language" promoted by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Joining in the opposition, the Angami Public Organization (APO) has also voiced its concern against the UCC.

In a representation addressed to the Law Commission of India, the APO has appealed that in the event UCC is introduced, Nagaland state be kept outside its purview as it shall result in direct confrontation and undermine the Naga customary law and practices which was recognized and protected under Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India.