Mokokchung, 15 July (MTNews): In response to the Public Notice issued by the 22nd Law Commission of India (LCI) on 14 June 2023 regarding the examination of the implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) of Nagaland has expressed strong opposition to its implementation in the state. The YTC emphasized the need to protect the rights, customs, and traditions of the Naga people.
Highlighting the historical context, the YTC in a representation to the Law Commission of India pointed out that Nagaland, the 16th State of the Indian union, was established through a political agreement known as the 16-point Agreement, signed between the representatives of the Government of India and the Naga Peoples’ Convention which ensured the protection of Naga customary practices and traditions.
According to the council, this protection was further reinforced by the recognition of the struggle and unique history of the Nagas through the inclusion of Article 371 (A) in the Indian Constitution on 1 December 1963. Article 371 (A) states that “No Act of Parliament in respect of- religious or social practices of the Nagas; Naga customary law and procedure etc shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by resolution so decides.”
“The Nagas of Nagaland has a rich culture and well established customary laws and practices which were practiced since time immemorial,” the YTC said, adding that these practices govern various aspects of life, including marriage, rituals, oaths, advice, divorce, separation, child custody, inheritance, division of properties, social sanctions, and death. All of these aspects are strictly regulated in accordance with Naga customary laws and practices, it said.
The YTC said it strongly believes that implementation of the UCC in Nagaland would infringe upon the rights, customs, and traditions of the Naga people. Therefore, it said it is strongly opposed to implementation of the UCC in the state.
The YTC urged the Government of India and the members of the 22nd Law Commission to exclude Nagaland from the purview of examination for the implementation of the UCC. They emphasize that such implementation would undermine the Naga customary laws and practices that have been protected under Article 371 (A).