BJP’s Northeast ally opposes UCC: Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Tuesday expressed concern over the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), saying it was contrary to the religious and social practices of the Mizos and their laws protected by the Constitution.
Zoramthanga, president of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), also said that the UCC is against the interests of ethnic minorities in general and Mizos in particular.
Notably, the MNF is a constituent of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), the regional version of the NDA. Assembly elections will be held in Mizoram later this year.
This comes a day after parliamentary panel law chairman and BJP MP Sushil Modi on Monday (July 3) pressed for keeping tribals, including those from the Northeast, out of the purview of the Uniform Civil Code, triggering a debate in the country. country, said a source. In his remarks, Sushil Modi advocated keeping tribals out of the purview of any proposed UCC and said that there are exceptions in all laws.
What did the CM of Mizoram say?
In a letter to the Law Commission of India, which is consulting all stakeholders to know their views on the UCC, the chief minister said the UCC proposal ‘cannot be accepted’.
“Since the proposed implementation of the UCC throughout the territory of India is in conflict with the religious and social practices of the Mizos and their customary/personal law, which is specifically protected by the constitutional provision, the said proposal of the NDA Government at the Center by Zoramthanga in his letter Said, “The notice of the Law Commission cannot be accepted.”
Zoramthanga’s statement comes after another BJP ally in the Northeast, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, whose party NPP is also a member of the NEDA, said that the UCC “in its present form” is against the idea of India.
Last month, the Law Commission had issued a public notice inviting views from various stakeholders on the UCC under the subject “Review of Personal Law”.
Zoramthanga also said that Article 371 (g) of the Constitution states that no Act of Parliament with respect to religious or social practices of Mizos, Mizo customary law and procedure, ownership and transfer of land shall apply to Mizoram unless unless a resolution by the State Legislature so decides.
Zoramthanga reminded the Law Commission about an official resolution passed by the Mizoram Assembly on February 14 opposing any move towards implementing the UCC in the country.
Mizoram Church Leaders Committee wrote a letter to the Law Commission
Meanwhile, the Mizoram Kohran Hruetute Committee, a body of church leaders in the state, also wrote to the Central Law Commission that it has strongly opposed the implementation of the UCC in the country.
Late last month, the Nagaland Tribal Council also wrote to the Law Commission that the UCC, if implemented, would dilute the provisions of Article 371A of the Constitution.
The Uniform Civil Code aims to replace personal laws based on customs, customs and traditions with a uniform law for all irrespective of religion, caste, creed, sexual orientation and gender.
Personal law and laws relating to inheritance, adoption and succession are likely to be covered by a common code.
(with PTI inputs)
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