The Jaiñtia Students’ Union (JSU) has urged the Law Commission has urged the centre not to introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Parliament in the country as it may lead to confusion, resistance, and administrative complexities.
The student’s body in its submission to the Law Commission said the UCC has potential impact on the cultural and social practices of our tribal (Khasi and Jaiñtia) community who lives in Meghalaya.
The JSU in its six-pointed views said the UCC may overlook or disregard the specific needs and aspirations of the tribal community, potentially leading to cultural assimilation or marginalization.
Emphasising on the importance of the diverse culture and religious practices in the country, the JSU said its opposition to the UCC is based on its desire to preserve the cultural identity, land, forest and rights of the community.
It also said that the UCC will have an impact on the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which is applied to states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram and also infringe upon the rights and customs of tribal communities protected under the Sixth Schedule.
“We have our own distinct social, cultural, and customary practices, and the Sixth Schedule ensures a degree of autonomy and self governance for the tribal community. We fear that a UCC may undermine these provisions and dilute the unique identity and customs of tribal communities,” the JSU said.
Besides interfering with the religious customs, rituals, and traditions and restrict the ability of individuals to follow our religious beliefs in matters of personal law the JSU said, the practical challenges involved in implementing UCC would be difficult to reconcile the various personal laws and diverse cultural practices.
Furthermore, it also said that it is crucial for policymakers to consider the concerns and viewpoints of different communities while discussing and formulating laws and policies.
“Balancing the principles of equality, justice, and individual rights with the preservation of cultural diversity is a complex challenge that requires extensive dialogue and deliberation among all stakeholders involved,” the JSU said.
