Uniform Civil Code has no place in Naga homeland, says Naga Students’ Federation

DIMAPUR— The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) said the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has no place in “Naga homeland” and that its implementation will infringe upon constitutional freedom to practice the faith of one’s choice.

The student body opined that the “practice of indigenous religion by a small section of the Naga society is also at threat” besides Christian faith. More so, the law violates Article 25 and Article 29 of the Indian Constitution which provide religious freedom and the right to conserve one’s culture.

“In Naga areas wherein the existing customary laws have primacy over federal laws with respect to personal issues like marriage, divorce, adoption, land ownership, etc., there is absolutely no space for the operation of UCC. The constitutional safeguards of our customs and religious practices cannot be usurped under the pretext of implementing a uniform law,” read the press communiqué.

Maintaining that UCC will annihilate the rich traditions, customs and practices of the Nagas, the NSF said the people “cannot allow any legislation that stands to over-rule our personal laws”.

Moreover, at this crucial juncture of the Naga political journey where the stakeholders putting their best foot forward to usher in a solution that is inclusive, honourable and acceptable, imposition of UCC upon the Naga people will only undo whatever has been achieved at the negotiating table so far, it said.

The student body also questioned the timing and intent of the central government to impose UCC “when codified civil laws and criminal laws like the CrPC and IPC don’t follow ‘one nation, one law’.”

“It should be noted that the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, a federal act, was amended by the governments of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. More so, in the context of criminal law, different states have different legal ages for drinking alcohol. It can be seen that the UCC is merely political ploy by the government to appease the hindu majority prior to the General Election while trampling upon the social or religious practices, customary laws, culture and practices of the religious minorities including the Nagas,” it stated.

“The Federation would like to reiterate the assertion of the previous law commission wherein it was stated in its 185-page report published in 2018 that UCC ‘is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage’ and that discriminatory practices, prejudices, and stereotypes within a particular religion and its personal laws should be studied and amended instead of implementing UCC. The Federation, in our clear conscience, appeals to all concerned not to tinker with the universally applauded image of India been ‘unified amidst diversities’,” it added. 

The federation also said that it official write to the Law Commission on the matter.