Uniform Civil Code an attempt to supplant Naga society – CAN

DIMAPUR — The Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) has opposed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), calling it an attempt to supplant Naga society with another society, which violates the very nature of the local community’s inherent rights.

In a press statement issued a day after the association held a consultative conference on August 12 at Mt. Tabor Retreat House in Kohima on the theme ‘Reading the signs of the times,’ CAN stated that the UCC is not necessary or desirable. It urged the state government to take an “absolute resolution” in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to oppose the UCC.

The conference, attended by Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima Diocese, lay leaders and community representatives among others, also deliberated on other issues including the Manipur crisis, the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution and the Naga political issue.

Taking note of the events in Manipur, the release stated that the Catholic Church in Nagaland condemns the dehumanising acts committed by those involved in the conflict and that the Church is agonised to see the dignity of human beings has been “greatly defiled” in Manipur.

The association stated that, reading the signs of the times, such dehumanising conflict can happen anywhere and everywhere. It therefore urged the Nagaland government to take steps and measures to prevent such inhuman conflicts from occurring in the Nagaland, which would dehumanise each person’s well-being in every dimension — economic, political, social, ecological and spiritual.

The association also affirmed that Catholic Church in Nagaland appreciates and supports the policy initiatives of the government in regard to RIIN.

“However, the Catholic Church of Nagaland appeals to the Government of Nagaland to be prudent with abundant precaution while charting and enacting laws and policies, which directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community,” it stated.

It also urged the government to pursue “policies that is centred upon the human person to flourish in its full dignity.”

The association also went on to state that Article 371(A) is a parliamentary resolution dear to every Naga’s heart, and urged the state government and its machineries to “further the understandings on the proviso of Article 371(A)” while embarking on the various issues pertaining to it.

On the Naga political issue, the association urged all Nagas to understand and recognise the battle for truth rather than conforming to “unholy prevailing majority opinions.”

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