Nagaland government outrightly opposes Uniform Civil Code implementation

DIMAPUR — The government of Nagaland has ‘outrightly resented’ the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state and said that breaching Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution would shake the very foundation of the relationship between the Indian Union and the state of Nagaland.

In a representation to the chairman of the 22nd Law Commission of India, the state government asked the Centre to exempt Nagaland from the purview of the UCC, arguing that it would pose a direct threat to the Naga customary laws, social practises, and religious practises that govern every individual in the Naga society.

The letter, undersigned by state government spokesperson KG Kenye, who is also the minister of Power and Parliamentary Affairs, also recounted Nagaland’s “chequered” history, characterised by intense resistance against British expeditions in the late 19th century.

It stated that the Naga forefathers fought a strong resistance movement, which only ended after many lives were lost on both sides and peace treaties were signed, guaranteeing a “non-interference policy” in the Naga way of life related to the administration of social practises, religious practises, the adjudication of criminal justices through customary laws, and the assurance that the ownership of the land and resources would be upheld and protected against any form of exploitation.

It reminded that the Naga tribal representatives formulated the 16-Point Agreement in 1960, based on the promise of non-interference in Naga land and lifestyle, after the Indian government recognised the history and struggles of the Naga people, after which Article 371(A) was inserted into the Constitution of India.

This article stood as a constitutional guarantee by the government of India to the people of Nagaland, and only on the strength of this political agreement did Nagaland enter into the Union of India as the 16th state on December 1, 1963.

However, the state has continued to experience violence, unrest, and bloodshed over the past 60 years, with peace talks and negotiations extending for decades.

“This Article has stood as a constitutional guarantee by the government of India to the people of Nagaland, and only on the strength of this political agreement, Nagaland entered into the Union of India as the 16th State on the 1st of December 1963,” read the letter.

“In the last 60 years journey of our Statehood, Nagaland still continues to endure violence, turmoil and bloodsheds and is confronted with serious challenges both internally and externally. The Peace talks and negotiations are also dragging on for Decades and does auger well with the uncertainties looming large. With, all these tense situation prevailing we are moving through uncharted waters,” it added.