Our Bureau
TURA/SHILLONG, July 12: The three autonomous district councils of the state on Wednesday decided to submit a joint representation to the Law Commission of India to oppose implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the Sixth Schedule areas.
A joint meeting in this regard was held at the KHADC conference hall here.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM), Pyniaid Sing Syiem reiterated concerns that UCC will have a direct impact on the powers and functions of the ADCs, especially on the customs, traditional practices and the community as a whole.
He said they have unanimously decided to submit a joint representation to the Law Commission that the people of the state are against the move of the central government to implement UCC in the Sixth Schedule areas. “We would submit our joint representation within July 14,” Syiem said.
The Garo Baptist Convention (GBC) on Wednesday expressed concern over the central government’s proposal to enact the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) pointing out that it would jeopardise the unique culture of the Garos as well as impact various other communities in the country.
An appeal in this regard was dispatched to the Law Commission of India with intimation to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and the National Churches Council of India.
The GBC in its appeal pointed out that enactment of the UCC would affect Garo Baptist Christians of Meghalaya, who have a special privilege under the Sixth Schedule to flourish, propagate and preserve the age old cultural, customary and social heritage, as well as those from neighbouring Assam.
“The UCC could lead to homogenization of laws which would not be keeping with India’s multicultural ethos and constitutional given privileges. This, we perceive, is contrary to the constitutional given privileges,” it said.
It also pointed out that Garos maintain a matrilineal society where grooms move in with the bride’s family after marriage and inheritance comes through the mother and the children bear their mother’s surname.
In Shillong, the UDP said that it will be submitting its views and suggestion on the UCC to the Law Commission.
UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh said the party is organising an inter-college debate on UCC. “Following the debate we will come up with a memorandum which we will submit to the Law Commission. We stand firmly by our commitment that unity in diversity should reign supreme. We are diverse and we are united,” he added.
