Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, has voiced his opposition to the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India. Sangma, who is also the President of the National People’s Party, believes that the UCC goes against the country’s identity as a diverse nation. He emphasized that India’s strength lies in its diversity and that any legislation, such as the UCC, should consider and respect this diversity.
The UCC aims to establish a set of common personal laws that would be applicable to all citizens of India, regardless of their religion, sex, gender, or sexual orientation. Currently, personal laws are governed by religious scriptures within various communities. However, Sangma expressed concerns about the potential implications of the UCC without knowing the specific content of the draft.
Sangma highlighted the unique cultural heritage of the Northeast region and stressed the importance of preserving its traditions and practices. He pointed out that their society follows a matrilineal system, which is an integral part of their culture and cannot be easily altered.
This opposition to the UCC is not exclusive to Meghalaya. The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Nagaland, has also voiced its opposition. The NDPP believes that the UCC will negatively impact the freedom and rights of minority communities and tribal people in India. The party emphasized that the Nagas have been ensured the protection of their customary practices and traditions through Article 371(A) in the Indian Constitution. They argue that implementing the UCC before a final solution to the Naga political issue is achieved could have significant consequences.
It is important to note that while some politicians, like Sangma and the NDPP, are opposed to the UCC, there are others who support its implementation. The Narendra Modi government is reportedly contemplating introducing a bill on the UCC during the upcoming session of Parliament. Supporters argue that a uniform set of personal laws would promote gender equality and ensure that all citizens are treated equally under the law.
The debate surrounding the UCC is an important one that raises questions about the balance between diversity and uniformity in a country as vast and diverse as India. As the discussions continue, it remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved and what implications it will have for the nation as a whole.
