NEW DELHI, July 2: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s opposition to the proposed implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has found growing support from other NDA alliance partners in the Northeast putting a spanner in the saffron party’s unilateral move on such a sensitive issue.
Most parts of the Northeast, which is home to over 200 culturally diverse indigenous tribes, come under the Sixth Schedule where even many exemptions have been allowed in the constitution itself. For instance, the marriage and inheritance rights are different in many NE states compared to rest of the country, irrespective of the religion.
Sangma, who is the president of the National People’s Party (NPP), has made it clear that the UCC is not acceptable to the party. It will have a negative impact on the culture and way of life of the tribal people, he had said.
Similar views have started coming from other NE states like Nagaland where BJP’s ally, the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has said that implementation of the UCC will have a negative impact on the freedom and rights of the minority communities and tribal people of India.
Mizoram, also an NDA ruled state, is more straightforward has already passed an official resolution opposing the UCC. With the highest percentage of tribal population at 94, the state has gone further ahead by stating that even if the Parliament passes UCC, the state will not implement it without a nod from the assembly.
In Assam, where the BJP is in a commanding position under Chief Minister and NEDA head Himanta Biswa Sarma, its ally Asom Gana Parishad seems to be reluctant keeping in mind its vote bank.
The border state has many seats with Muslims in the majority. The state has a sizable tribal population too.
In Tripura, the party enjoys a majority but the main Tribal party — Tipra Motha Party — headed by Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma is unlikely to support the UCC.
Despite several rounds of talks, the tribal party which also heads the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council has not joined the BJP-led coalition.
In Manipur, which is passing through troubled times, the BJP is in a comfortable position but with many Naga and Kuki tribals, implementation of UCC will be a difficult task.
Only Arunachal Pradesh might become a pliant state in case UCC is implemented.
When contacted, a BJP source pointed out that UCC has been there in the party manifesto for a very long time. “In an election year, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself leading the move, it will be difficult for the party to abandon it even there is opposition from its allies in the Northeast,” the source added.
