DIMAPUR, JUNE 29 (MExN): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has stated that implementing the UCC will have a negative impact on the freedom and rights of the minority communities and the tribal people of India.
“Unity in diversity has always been the hallmark of India…and considering that our nation is made up of diverse people of different backgrounds having their very own traditions customs and practices, introducing a common civil code for the populace will surely have adverse result in achieving the ideals of the country. This, in turn, will surely create sentimental and emotional divide which will not be good for national integration,” NDPP media & communication committee said in a press statement on Thursday.
Moreover, the NDPP pointed out that there are many sections of the people who are yet to completely integrate emotionally with the Indian Union. Many of these sections still consider the practices, cultures and beliefs of the mainland as strange and alien to their social and traditional practices, it added.
Coming to Nagaland state, the NDPP reminded that the Nagas have been ensured the protection of our customary practices and traditions by the insertion of Article 371(A) in the Constitution of India and the Indo-Naga political dialogue for peaceful and honourable settlement is at a crucial juncture.
In view of these aspects, the NDPP said it would be unwise to put in place a law such as the UCC which is bound to have significant consequences on the positive path the political process has taken over the last 26 years of negotiations.
Having endured a long period of turmoil and bloodshed, today the Nagas want the peace that has been in place since the negotiations began, to become permanent. However, to introduce a new law that will have deep impact upon the personal laws of the people will instead create further uncertainty and has the serious potential to threaten the peaceful environment, it maintained.
Keeping these apprehensions in mind, the NDPP as a political party whose very ideology is to protect the rights, customs and traditions of our people is opposed to the implementation of the UCC, it said.
The NDPP therefore strongly urged the GoI and the members of the 22nd Law Commission to reconsider this matter and let the decision of the 21st Law Commission remain unchanged.
The NDPP also impressed upon the Government of Nagaland that as and when its opinion is sought, not to waiver from its commitment to the Naga people, but stand steadfast to “protect and safeguard our identity, our customs, traditions and our unique history.”
