Counter-productive to India’s rich diversity: Azo Nienu
NPF Legislative Party (NPFLP) has warned that any attempt to impose the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on the diverse communities across the country would be futile and counterproductive.
This was the stand of the party that was disclosed by NPFLP leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu through a statement. Neinu stated that imposition of UCC was meant “to dismiss our culture as primitive, uncivilized and inhuman and question our ability to find a solution from within to address human problems, including rights and equality, and to contribute to nation building at large.”
Further, Neinu noted that there were two important issues surrounding UCC– rights and equality of citizens on one hand and national integration on the other.
He made it clear that imposition of UCC would go against the basic norms and presuppositions that had gone into the making of the Indian constitution itself – diversity, unity, federalism, secularism, etc.
He pointed out that the proposed UCC ignored the rich and complex historical background of the nation against which the constitution was written.
He mentioned that the attempt to impose UCC was betraying the hope and trust of the minorities, especially the tribal communities for whom constitutional provisions like Article 371(A) or Sixth Schedule had been provided to protect and promote their customs, values and practices- things that had given them a sense of identity, worth, belongingness and purpose.
Neinu reminded that no one should dishonour the existing constitutional guarantees through which modern India was built. He stressed the spirit of Indian nationalism or national integration could not be achieved by questioning and insulting the wisdom and heritage of the minorities.
He stated that in reality, the issues and questions of personal matters constituted the heart and soul of modern democracy, liberty and religious freedom.
He called on lawmakers that instead of trying to override matters that came under personal law, they must on the contrary, provide platform for diverse communities to showcase their cultural heritage and wisdom so that genuine interaction and cross-cultural learning became possible.
He stressed that such an initiative would forge greater understanding among diverse communities across the nation. It would also inculcate a sense of respect, peace and unity that were fundamental for building a strong Indian State, he added.
Further, the NPF leader claimed that the idea of LADF (MLAs) and LADS (MPs) of the country, had its origin in the tribal wisdom of Nagas. He pointed out that even the concept of communitisation of basic institutions like health and education that had merited national and international recognitions came from the communitarian ethos of the tribal Nagas – the care of one and all and not to leave anyone out in the pursuit of the good.
Till an appropriate time arrived, Neinu fully endorsed the wisdom and suggestion of the 21st Law Commission that observed that “in the absence of any consensus on a uniform civil code, the Commission felt that the best way forward may be to preserve the diversity of personal laws but at the same time ensure that personal laws do not contradict fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India. In order to achieve this, it is desirable that all personal laws relating to matters of family must first be codified to the greatest extent possible, and the inequalities that have crept into codified law should be remedied by amendment.”
Neinu maintained that India must trust the diverse communities to find wisdom to address issues of human rights from within, instead of coercing them from above. He said it was high time to do away with elements of hegemony and imperialism which only sowed seeds of division and distrust.
Neinu said that as a legislator and representative of a tribal community from Nagaland, he vehemently opposed any threat, be it modern western individualistic or Indian majoritarian values and ethos that were not only incompatible, but also posed a threat to tribal communitarian ethos and values.