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DIMAPUR— The voice against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is getting louder in Nagaland with several civil organisations and political parties, including the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and Angami Public Organisation (APO) opposing its implementation in the state.
The NDPP on Thursday said in a press release that implementing of UCC will have a negative impact on the freedom and rights of the minority communities and the tribals in India.
The party reminded that Nagaland became the 16th state of the Indian Union through a political agreement after the GoI recognised the struggle and history of the Nagas, and that Nagas have been ensured the protection of their customary practices and traditions by the insertion of Article 371(A) in the Constitution of India.
“We are also made to understand that the Indo-Naga political dialogue for a peaceful and honourable settlement is at a crucial juncture. In view of these aspects, 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,” read the press release.
Maintaining that ‘Unity in Diversity’ has always been the hallmark of the country and that India is made up of diverse people of different backgrounds having their own traditions customs and practices, the NDPP asserted that introducing a common civil code for the populace will have adverse effect in achieving the ideals of the country.
It went on to state that NDPP, as a political party whose very ideology is to protect the rights, customs and traditions of the people, is opposed to the implementation of the UCC.
The party urged the GoI and the 22nd Law Commission of India to reconsider the matter and let the decision of the 21st Law Commission remain unchanged.
The NDPP further impressed upon the Government of Nagaland to stand steadfast “to protect and safeguard our identity, our customs, traditions and our unique history”.
Iterating that it stands firmly with all other tribes and communities that oppose the Centre’s move to impose and implement UCC, the apex Angami tribal body reaffirmed the 16-Point Agreement, which gave birth to Nagaland State.
In a representation to the Member Secretary, Law Commission of India, APO reminded that unlike any other states of India, Nagaland is the only state formed out of a political agreement.
The organisation pointed out that Article 371(A) clearly states that notwithstanding anything in the Constitution, no Act of Parliament in respect of religious and social practices of the Nagas, Naga customary law and procedure etc., shall apply in the state of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides.
“It is crystal clear that the Naga religious, social practices and Naga customary law and procedure are recognised and protected by Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India. It is, therefore, pertinent to state that the Naga territory was kept as an excluded area from the colonial time till statehood,” it stated.
It also stated that if the present leadership at the Centre go ahead and impose their concept of uniting the country under one legal roof, it will rather backfire and disintegrate the big country knitted together by diverse culture, custom, language and religion.
“The Implementation of UCC in the case of Nagaland State will result in direct infringement of Article 371 (A) of the Constitution of India which will have serious ramification. We have strong conviction upon the members of the penal of Law Commission to do the justice by avoiding anything that is harmful to the secular fabric of the Nation,” read the representation.
Further, APO asserted that in the event of the UCC being introduced, the State of Nagaland should be kept outside the purview of the UCC.
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