United Naga Council says it won’t accept Uniform Civil Code in ‘Naga homeland’

DIMAPUR — The United Naga Council (UNC) has opposed the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), saying that it will not accept its implementation in the ‘Naga homeland’ under any circumstances.

In a letter to the Chairperson, Law Commission of India, submitted through the deputy commissioner of Senapati district, the apex body of the Nagas in Manipur said that tribals in the Northeast and other regions should be kept out of the ambit of the UCC, as land holding system, inheritance, marriage, divorce, succession and adoptions are governed by the respective tribal customary practices.

It termed the UCC “a constitutional hurdle as Article 25 of the Indian constitution that seeks to preserve the freedom to practice and propagate any religion gets into conflict with the concepts of equality enshrined under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution”.

“The constitution of India does not have a specific provision mandating a Uniform Civil Code for Citizens. However, it does mention of a Uniform Civil Code in Article 44, which is one of the directive principles of state policy and unlike the fundamental rights, it cannot be enforce in the court of law.

“The proposed UCC directly negates the basic structure and principle of the Indian constitution such as secularism, pluralism etc. Historically, the so called UCC and its concept has no place in the sub-continent of India despite of much efforts employed by the government since colonial power in 1835,” read the letter.

Terming the move for “One Nation One Law” as a matter of great concern for all minorities in the country, especially the Nagas with its own distinct identity and customary practices, the UNC, a conglomeration 20 Naga tribes in Manipur, said that it against the intent and objective of promulgating such law of totalitarianism in the guise of UCC.

“India is a country known for its rich religious and cultural diversity. It is a home to multi-religion, each with its own set of customs, traditions and personal laws. Whereas, in the contrary, the proposed UCC is posing a serious threat to this diversity by replacing individual religious law with a Uniform Civil Code, the social fabric of the different community in the sub-continent would be undermined and religious freedom of a citizen will be infringed upon. It is high time for the people in the helm of affairs to realize that ‘One Size’ does not fit for all in this pluralistic society,” read the letter.