New Delhi: The Mizoram Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed an official resolution opposing any move to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country.
Home Minister Lalchamliana moved the motion which stated that “This House unanimously resolves to oppose any step taken or to be taken for the enactment of the UCC in India.”
Lalchamliana further proposed that the UCC, if enacted, would “disintegrate the country as it was an attempt to abolish religious or social practices, customary laws, cultures and traditions of religious minorities, including the Mizos”. “
He alleged that several attempts had been made in the past to implement the UCC, but remained pending due to its “controversial nature”.
He said that in December last year, a private member’s bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by a BJP MP to implement the UCC.
“The proposed legislation is pending for enactment in the Parliament. The proposed legislation aims at enforcing a uniform code in the country by marginalizing or eliminating religious or social practices, customary laws, cultures and traditions of minorities;’ Lalchamliana said.
“Though Mizoram has a special provision under Article 371G to protect its social or religious practices, customary laws and procedures, the implementation of the UCC is not healthy for India as a whole,” he added.
Article 371G of the Constitution states that any Act of Parliament relating to religious or social practices of Mizos, Mizo customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions in accordance with Mizo customary law, ownership and transfer of land will not apply. in Mizoram until the State Legislature by a resolution so decides.
Lalchamliana also alleged that the BJP had included the implementation of the UCC in its election manifesto for 2018-19.
The discussion on the resolution was attended by Chief Minister Zoramthanga, opposition Congress leader Zodintluanga, Zoe People’s Legislature Party leader Lalduhoma, lone BJP legislator BD Chakma and ruling MNF member C Lalmuanpuia.
Chakma argued that it was too early to oppose the UCC as it was yet to be enacted.
The BJP MLA said that recently, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju had informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a question from Mizoram’s Rajya Sabha member Vanlalwena that no decision has been taken yet on implementing the UCC.
Zoramthanga said that this is the right time to oppose it before the enactment of the UCC. He said that if the UCC is implemented, “the very existence of the country will suffer”. Lalduhoma and Zodintluanga strongly supported the motion.
After deliberations by at least four members, Assembly Speaker Lalrinliana Saito stated that the Assembly unanimously adopted an official resolution setting out the steps taken or proposed to be implemented to implement the UCC.
