NEW DELHI: Shillong Lok Sabha member Vincent Pala has stressed on the need for amendment of relevant laws and even the Constitution to protect the traditional institutions in the wake of the High Court ruling on headmen.
“It is imperative to amend both the Constitution of India and the relevant laws including the Contempt of Courts Act so that customary laws and practices are protected,” Pala said in identical letters which he sent to the Law Commission and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law recently.
Pala also cited the specific instance of the High Court of Meghalaya sending the Sordar of Wahkhen Village in East Khasi Hills and the Chief Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council to prison for contempt of court.
The court order has virtually derecognized headmen in Meghalaya as customary authorities and barred them from issuing registration certificates/ NOCs for births, deaths and property.
Pala made it clear that he would pursue the matter with Central authorities so that the customary institutions, customary law and justice are preserved, protected and promoted. He also had meetings with the Congress president Sonia Gandhi and had urged her to stand by the indigenous people of Meghalaya and help reverse the High Court order.
Pala had held consultations with prominent jurists from Meghalaya after which he raised the matter with both the Centre and Parliament. Pala also dashed off a letter to the Union Law Minister and raised the matter with the Union of India as a last resort.
