The State Assembly of Mizoram has adopted an unanimous resolution against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), stating that the enactment of UCC would lead to disintegration of the country.
Introducing the resolution against UCC, Home Minister Lalchamliana said that it would disintegrate the country as it was an attempt to terminate the religious or social practices, customary laws, cultures and traditions of the religious minorities, including the Mizos.
The Minister said the proposed law, which was introduced as a private member’s Bill by a BJP Rajya Sabha MP, was pending for enactment in Parliament.
He claimed that the proposed law aimed at imposing a uniform code in the country by marginalising or terminating the religious or social practices, customary laws, cultures and traditions of the minorities.
Lalchamliana said that although Mizoram has a special provision to protect its social or religious practices, customary laws and procedures under Article 371G, the implementation of UCC was not healthy for India as a whole.
Under Article 371G of the Constitution, no Parliamentary Act on the religious or social practices of Mizos, Mizo customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Mizo customary law, or ownership and transfer of land, shall apply to Mizoram unless the state legislature passes a resolution on it.
Chief Minister Zoramthanga, opposition Congress leader Zodintluanga, Zo People’s Legislature Party leader Lalduhoma, lone BJP legislator B.D. Chakma and ruling MNF member C. Lalmuanpuia participated in the discussion on the resolution.
Lone BJP legislator B.D. Chakma said it was too early to criticise the UCC, since it had not yet been implemented.
Zoramthanga replied that it was better to raise these questions and criticisms before the Code was implemented. He claimed that UCC would ‘harm’ the existence of the country.