Leader of the house and chief minister Neiphiu Rio moved a resolution for exemption from the proposed enactment of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in its application to the State of Nagaland Tuesday. The seven-point resolution read out by Rio informed that the government had submitted its views on the subject to the 22nd Law Commission on July 4, 2023.
The resolution conveyed its opposition to UCC on the grounds of unique history of Nagaland since pre-independent British era; the assurance of non-interference policy starting from pre-independence times and continued by government of India as guaranteed under Article 371(A). Rio also recalled that during the consultative meeting with various stakeholders on September 1, 2023, the representatives of the various tribal hohos/organisations expressed their objection against UCC.
The provisions under UCC with an “apparent objective” to have a single law on personal matters such as marriage & divorce, custody & guardianship, adoption & maintenance, succession & inheritance would pose a threat to Naga Customary Laws, social and religious practices if UCC was imposed, the resolution cited.
Rio said the state government and Nagas were of the view that UCC would pose a threat to the customary laws, social practices and the religious practices, which will be in danger of encroachment in the event of imposition of UCC. The resolution was unanimously passed by voice vote, in view of the provisions laid down in Art 371(A).