SHILLONG:
BJP leader and former cabinet minister Sanbor Shullai, on July 17, urged the Centre to exclude the 6th scheduled areas in Meghalaya from the purview of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as it would interfere with the matrilineal system of the indigenous people.
In a letter to the Chairman of the Law Commission of India Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, the South Shillong legislator said, “The UCC if implemented in Meghalaya risks interference with the unique beauty of matrilineal norms of the society in Meghalaya. The central government has been kind enough during the implementation of CAA wherein tribal areas of the northeastern States have been exempted. Thus, the same principle should be applied to uphold the traditional matrilineal customary law of the tribal communities of Meghalaya.”
“Therefore, to retain the proud district character, tradition and rich culture which have been protected by the constitution of India and the country, it is an earnest appeal that the implementation of UCC should be excluded from the scheduled area of the state of Meghalaya,” he added.
Stating that the UCC is a concern, Shullai said, “As any law implemented by the country should safeguard the interests of the minorities besides protecting the rich and traditional heritage of the tribal communities of the Northeastern states of the country.”
He said that the unique and distinct characteristics of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hills region of the state of Meghalaya is the embodiment of self-governance established under the constitution, the proposed implementation of the uniform civil code may perhaps dilute the old age valuable custom, beliefs and tradition practised since time immemorial, which is the unique identity that defines the minority tribal people of the state of Meghalaya and absolutely distinct from the rest of the country.
Among the minority tribes of the region, the Khasi, Jaintia and Garos of Meghalaya has a uniqueness of monitoring and managing its own customary and traditional laws protected under the sixth schedule of the constitution.
He said that the law commission in its circular has sought the views from various stakeholders regarding the implementation of uniform civil code and has received an overwhelming response over the same. Since the views of the public shall be taken into consideration and that the majority of the tribal population in Meghalaya fear the infringement of mainstream law into the very existing traditional and customary laws, which has been a part of the existing norms for ages, Shullai added.