United Sangtam Lihüm Pümji (USLP) has appealed to the government to exempt Nagaland from the purview of the Uniform Civil Code (USLP).
In a letter addressed to the member secretary, Law Commission of India, the USLP president and general secretary stated that state of Nagaland was established through a political agreement and due constitutional rights have been upheld in the constitution by inserting Article 371 A—a special provision with respect to the State of Nagaland.
USLP stated that the constitution envisaged special provisions for the State of Nagaland to uphold its own faith, social practises and Naga customary law.
Further, USLP stated that Nagaland was a home of different tribes practicing its own customary laws—marriage, divorce, separation, child custody, inheritance etc, which had been practiced and preserved since time immemorial.
USLP also pointed out that Nagaland is inhabited by majority Christians and holy matrimonies are conducted in accordance with the Christian beliefs. At the same time, USLP said marriages are done through traditional ways, wherein customary oaths, customary rituals, customary advises are administered to the newly wedded couples and thereafter recognized as married couple in the society.
It stated that divorce and separation were minimal in Naga societies due to customary sanction/censure. “Whereby, upon death and divorce, inheritance, share of properties are effectively administered strictly in accordance with the Naga customary laws and practices till date,” USLP stated.
In the light of the above, USLP stated that even if UCC was introduced, the state of Nagaland be exempted from the purview of the UCC. USLP stated that application of UCC in Nagaland would be in direct confrontation within the Communities/societies and would undermine the Naga customary law and practices, which were recognized and protected by the constitution of India.
