The proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will have no impact on tribal rights and customs in the northeast and other parts of the country, Minister S.P. Singh Baghel has said.
Baghel, who was recently shifted to the Health Ministry from the Law Ministry, told reporters that the BJP respects the diversity and culture of the tribal communities and will not impose any law that goes against their interests.
“The BJP chose to nominate a tribal woman as the president of India, the highest post in the land. It also has the largest number of tribal lawmakers, parliamentarians, and ministers. The customs of the northeast are respected by the party. And, we will not hurt any religious or social customs, but appeasement politics is not right either,” he said.
He further clarified that nothing will apply to the tribal groups unless their own state legislatures ratify the federal government’s decision as per Schedule 6 of the Indian Constitution which grants special provisions to certain tribal areas in northeastern states like Meghalaya, Tripura, Assam and Mizoram.
While talking about the tribal groups of the other states, he said that they will also be consulted and their views will be taken into account before any law is made.
The response from the minister came after Rajya Sabha (Upper House) member Sushil Kumar Modi said that the tribals of the northeast and other regions should be kept out of the UCC.
The proposed UCC seeks to come up with and implement common laws for all the people of the country irrespective of religion, caste and creed.
It has been one of the longest pending items on the federally-ruling BJP agenda.
However, the proposed law has been opposed by several communities, including minorities, as they feel that their identity and autonomy will be eroded.