Meghalaya government on Thursday turned down the opposition’s demand for passing an official resolution to oppose the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on the ground that the Centre is yet to come up with a Bill on the matter.
The resolution to oppose the UCC was moved by opposition Congress legislator from Mawhati Charles Marngar and supported by members of opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and Voice of the People Party (VPP) in the Assembly.
In his reply, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the State government is very much against the concept and idea of the UCC as it goes against the idea of India which is ‘diversity’.
However, the government cannot just pass a resolution prematurely without knowing the content of the UCC Bill.
“The question arises that can we as legislature oppose or pass a resolution without knowing the content of the UCC Bill. Outside the House, we can speak on the basis of what we think may happen but as a legislature today if we are to oppose the UCC, the first thing we need to have in front of us is the UCC Bill,” Sangma said.
He said it doesn’t mean just because other States have done it, Meghalaya too should pass a resolution. “That is why, we need to apply our mind. Therefore, it is only when we see the UCC Bill then we take a stand as a government,” he added.
Further, the chief minister also assured that the House will stand united to oppose any move by anybody including Parliament to dilute the identity, rights, culture and practices of the indigenous people of Meghalaya.
“If there is any proposal in the proposed Bill to dilute the practices of the tribal in terms of religion, marriages and inheritance, the State government and the Assembly will never agree to it,” he stated.
He informed that the matter was also discussed in an MDA meeting on how to proceed on the issue.
Meanwhile, the chief minister also informed that the State government will soon submit its views and suggestions on the UCC to the Law Commission.
“We have fixed the time where the Cabinet will go through the suggestions, which will be in line with that the state will oppose it if there is a move to dilute our practices,” he stated.
Satisfied with the reply of the chief minister, Marngar decided to withdraw the resolution.
“Since I now understand the mind of the government that the government is also concerned about the UCC, I beg to withdraw this resolution. And I hope that the CM, the Cabinet and all 60 members that when the Government of India is going to implement the UCC in our country that time, I hope all of us will stand together and fight together and pass a resolution to oppose the UCC,” he said.
By our Reporter
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