SHILLONG, July 5: The anti-Uniform Civil Code movement in Meghalaya got a big push forward on Wednesday after the KHADC, various pressure groups and traditional bodies unanimously resolved to oppose any move by the Centre to implement the UCC.
The meeting, called by the KHADC, was attended by leaders of the KSU, FKJGP, HNYF, HYC and Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH).
KHADC Deputy CEM, PN Syiem told media persons later that the meeting deliberated on the resolution passed by the council on June 24.
“We are firm in our stand to unanimously oppose the move by the Centre to implement UCC. We need to remember that even during the British rule, our rights over land, forest and even customary practices had remained untouched,” Syiem said.
Stating that the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre has its own ideology of taking away the rights of the indigenous communities, Syiem said none of the governments in the past made any attempt to come up with a law that infringes into the customs and traditional practices of the indigenous people.
Referring to Article 224 (A) of the Constitution, Syiem said the Centre cannot interfere into the tradition and customs of the indigenous communities.
“We will incorporate the views of the various stakeholders in an explanatory note to be submitted to the National Law Commission and the Law Ministry. The Law Ministry has given us time till July 14 to submit our views. We want to send the note in one voice that we are opposed to the UCC,” he said.
The pressure groups also asked the NPP-led MDA 2.0 government to vehemently oppose the Centre’s move to implement the UCC.
“I shall not say anything on Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma softening his stand on the issue. He can give a better reply. But we want to make it very clear that the state government should take a stand on this matter,” KSU president, Lambokstarwell Marngar said.
He said the British government had tried to use its power to suppress the people with guns. “But now, the BJP-led MDA is trying to take away our rights and customary practices through laws that go against us,” he added.
Marngar said the KSU expects the 60 MLAs elected by the people to come out to voice their opposition to this move of the Centre.
He said any law the Centre wants to bring in should benefit the people of the state.
“The Centre is trying to bring this issue at the time when the people are demanding the implementation of ILP (inner-line permit) and the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule,” he said.
Echoing similar views, HNYF president Sadon K. Blah said the Centre cannot implement the UCC to solve the problems of personal laws of a section of the community in mainland India.
“We are not ready to take the baggage and burden of the people in the mainland since our personal laws and customary practices are very unique and should not be disturbed,” he said.
He said the indigenous community of the state is still free since they are protected according to the provisions laid down in the Sixth Schedule.
“Even though the Centre claims that the implementation of UCC is for the promotion of national integration, this is a forceful assimilation. We want our personal laws as per the customary practices and traditions should be protected at any cost,” Blah said. FKJGP president, Dundee Cliff Khongsit said there will be a huge conflict since Articles in the Constitution allow the various indigenous communities to follow their own customary practices.
“We expect the state government to take a similar stand on this issue. We need to have a united voice if we are to pressure the Centre to review its decision,” he said.
HYC president, Robertjune Kharjahrin said the UCC would be a violation of the federal structure of the Constitution.
He said Article 44 of the Constitution speaks about the UCC while Article 244 (2) and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution have a different view on the matter,” he said, underlining the self-contradictory tone of the common civil code to be implemented.
Kharjahrin said the implementation of the UCC would contradict Articles 26 and 27 which talk about religious affairs.
“We should unitedly oppose this move. We want the JHADC, GHADC and the state government to oppose this move of the Centre,” he said.
Meanwhile, Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH) general secretary, R.L. Blah urged the KHADC to take the lead for bringing the 10 ADCs in the Northeastern region on board for a stronger voice against the Centre’s move.
“We would like to leave it to the wisdom of the KHADC how to spearhead this movement,” he added.
