Following the unanimous adoption of a resolution by the Nagaland Assembly, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed concerns that the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would endanger the state’s customary laws, social practices, and religious traditions.
On Monday, members of the Assembly, including Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, strongly opposed the UCC, and on Tuesday, the House unanimously passed a resolution against the proposed law. The resolution, moved by the Chief Minister, called for the state to be entirely exempted from the purview of the UCC.
The Chief Minister stated, “…Whereas the apparent objective of the UCC is to have a single law on personal matters such as marriage and divorce, custody and guardianship, adoption and maintenance, succession and inheritance, and our view is that UCC would pose a threat to the customary laws, and social and religious practices, which would be in danger of encroachment in the event of imposition of UCC…”
He further noted that the government of Nagaland had conveyed its opposition to the UCC to the Law Commission on July 4, citing the unique history of Nagaland and the constitutional guarantee under Article 371(A).
“In the consultative meeting with various stakeholders on the UCC organized by the state government on September 1, the representatives of various tribal hohos and organizations had expressed their strong resentment and objection to the idea of having a UCC,” Rio added.
He emphasized that Article 371(A) provides protection for the religious and social practices of the Nagas.
The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) gained renewed attention after Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for its implementation, stating that the country cannot function with two sets of laws. PM Modi said that the UCC aligns with the principles and ideals of the Constitution and noted the Supreme Court’s call for its implementation.
“Today people are being instigated in the name of UCC. How can the country run on two (laws)? The Constitution also talks of equal rights…Supreme Court has also asked to implement the UCC. These (Opposition) people are playing vote bank politics,” PM Modi said during an address in Bhopal.
