SHILLONG, July 16: The Law Commission of India has sought the views of the state government on the proposal for implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Disclosing this on Sunday to The Shillong Times, Law Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said the government is preparing a note to be placed before the Cabinet for approval before the state’s suggestions are forwarded to the Commission.
“So far, nothing has been decided on the official resolution to oppose the implementation of the UCC. We are noting all opinions,” Lyngdoh said.
She mentioned that Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma has already made it clear that the state government is firm against any move to implement the UCC.
The Centre’s proposal has been met with stiff resistance in the state. Thought the central government is yet to issue any notification to the state in this regard, the UDP, which is a partner of the NPP-led MDA 2.0 Government, has opposed the UCC and submitted its views to the Law Commission.
“Considering the fact that our state falls under the purview of the Sixth Schedule, any infringement on the rights of the indigenous tribes will defeat the intent of this exercise. In light of the absence of the draft proposal from the Government of India, we are left in a position that deprives us to share our views at this juncture. Since there is no clarity on the matter, the party is disinclined to support the proposed implementation of the uniform civil code,” the UDP said in its representation to the Law Commission.
Even the three autonomous district councils have decided to submit a joint petition to oppose the UCC implementation. The KHADC and the JHADC have adopted resolutions expressing their opposition to the UCC.
The different church denominations have also opposed the implementation of the UCC. The Catholic Church of Meghalaya (CCM) had recently submitted a petition to the Law Commission opposing the Centre’s proposed move.
“We are in a country that respects unity in diversity and believes that India is a secular country. It is a country that permits personal laws on marriage, divorce, inheritance, properties etc. But the public notice issued on June 14, 2023 by the Law Commission regarding the enforcement of the UCC is a serious concern to us,” Archbishop of Shillong, Rev Victor Lyngdoh had said in an appeal to the Law Commission.
The Archbishop had said they would like to raise the objections to the implementation of UCC since personal laws that are flowing from customs, traditions and practices attached to religious beliefs cannot be distorted or annihilated by the introduction of the UCC.
“We strongly convey our displeasure that the beliefs, customs and traditions of “one religion” be imposed on other religious customs or religious beliefs through the UCC. The Article 25 gives every religious group the right to manage its own affairs,” he had said.
