BJP's Key Ally NPP Raises Objection To Uniform Civil Code

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday expressed his reservation over the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), saying it is against the country's identity as a diverse nation.

"NPP feels that UCC will go against the idea of India being a diverse nation, with diversity being our strength and identity," PTI quoted him as saying. His National People's Party (NPP) President is a key ally of the BJP in the Northeast.

The Northeast has a unique culture and society and will want to remain that way, he said. However, he claimed it will be difficult to go into the details without seeing the actual content of the UCC draft.

Noting that Meghalaya has a matrilineal society and there are different cultures in the Northeast, he asserted, "These cannot be changed."

Earlier, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), another ally of the BJP in Nagaland, raised its objections on the implementation of the uniform civil code. "The Nagas have been ensured the protection of our customary practices and traditions by the insertion of Article 371(A) in the Constitution of India," the NDPP said in a statement.

The UCC refers to a common set of laws that are applicable to all citizens of India that is not based on religion and dealing with marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption among other personal matters.

However, Goa is the only state in India that has a uniform civil code. It has been following the Portuguese Civil Code 1867, which is also called Uniform Civil Code. After its liberation from Portuguese rule, the UCC survived through Section 5(1) of the Goa, Daman and Diu Administration Act, 1962.

The fresh debate on the UCC took centre stage after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a strong push for a Uniform Civil Code, asking how can the country function with dual laws that govern personal matters.