Home MEGHALAYA CM Conrad reaffirms opposition to UCC, says it is neither ‘practical’ nor ‘appropriate’

CM Conrad reaffirms opposition to UCC, says it is neither ‘practical’ nor ‘appropriate’

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CM Conrad reaffirms opposition to UCC, says it is neither ‘practical’ nor ‘appropriate’

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma reiterated his position on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), stressing that imposing uniform civil laws across India is neither practical nor appropriate, given the country’s vast cultural and tribal diversity.

Speaking to the press after the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Sangma made a distinction between the concept of the UCC and its actual implementation as a bill or law. He explained that a Uniform Civil Code, in the sense of making everything uniform, is not feasible in India. We have tribal and indigenous communities with unique practices that may not align with a uniform approach. It would be incorrect to impose uniformity on every aspect of life for all communities.

While Sangma expressed opposition to total uniformity, he acknowledged that certain aspects of civil law could be standardized without undermining the rights of indigenous communities. He pointed to Uttarakhand, which became the first state to implement the UCC while excluding tribal customs from its application, as an example of a balanced approach.

If a national or state-level bill proposed the adoption of a matrilineal system across India, Meghalaya would support it because we are a matrilineal society, Sangma said. “It all depends on the specifics of the bill—what aspects are being standardized and how they are framed.”

The Chief Minister emphasized that Meghalaya has no intention of adopting the UCC, reaffirming the state’s commitment to protecting its tribal customs and upholding its secular identity. “For us, the Uniform Civil Code is not on our agenda. We respect the diversity of our tribal communities and are dedicated to preserving their traditional practices,” he stated.

Sangma’s remarks come amid growing debate over the UCC, with neighboring Assam showing interest in following Uttarakhand’s example. However, his statement signals that Meghalaya is resolute in prioritizing the protection of its indigenous traditions over the pursuit of uniform civil laws.

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