Poumai Naga Baptist Association opposes Uniform Civil Code

Says it is against the principle of secularism and Christian faith

DIMAPUR — The Poumai Naga Baptist Association (PNBA) has vehemently opposed the implementation of the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), saying that it will infringe upon the right to freedom of religion and the Naga customary laws.

In a letter to the Law Commission of India, the PNBA said that this was decided after a thorough deliberation on the applicability of the proposed law in a meeting held at its office in Purul village, Senapati district, Manipur, on July 1.

It said the controversial law will directly undermine Christian faith and belief as ‘Christians are governed by the Biblical Canon’ on personal matters and also affect Naga customary practices.

“The members of the Poumai Naga Baptist Association are also scheduled tribe in the state of Manipur, having their own distinct traditional, social and customary practices governed by the Naga customary law and its usages on the subject related to marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance and succession,” read the letter from Rev. Dr. P. James, Executive Secretary of PNBA.

Maintaining that the UCC is against the freedom of religion guaranteed in Article 25-28 of the Indian Constitution, the association said enacting such a law amid objections from various quarters could have serious consequence.

“The proposed Uniform Civil Code is directly against the basic structure of the Indian Constitution as it is against the principle of Secularism,” it said, adding that Article 44 in part IV of the Constitution is a directive principle and cannot be imposed upon the citizens.

Citing these reasons, the PNBA requested the Law Commission of India not to proceed with the proposed UCC in the best interest of the citizens of India, particularly the Christian community and the Nagas living in the Northeast.