DIMAPUR — The Naga Women’s Union (NWU) has strongly opposed the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), stating that its implementation is unacceptable in ‘Naga homeland’.
In a letter to the Chairperson, Law Commission of India, submitted through the deputy commissioner of Senapati district, the NWU asserted that “a common law for every citizen irrespective of religion and caste itself is against the nation’s constitution as Article 25 of the India constitution holds Secularism”.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]“Every citizen has the freedom to practice and propagate any religion and Article 14 credits equality in pluralism. Equality to us is respect to our culture and religion as others’ are. India is seen to have the highest courtesy towards its citizen. It clauses the right to conserve and preserve every distinct culture in Article 29 as well,” read the letter.
“India is a home for multi religion, caste and traditions. Nagas in North-East India are one of them with its own set of customs, tradition and personal law. Practices including land holding system, inheritance of properties, marriage and divorce, succession, adoption and what else are all governed under the sufficient customary law of the Nagas since time immemorial. There has never been a glitch in its justification and it never fails to earn respect from the neighbours,” it added.
The NWU went on to state that the concept of UCC is seen to be a political ploy to appease the majority by undermining the minorities and martyring their religions.
‘The long-standing history of our customary law can never be swayed away by a mere interpretation and propaganda. India has gloriously shone with its children of different status for ages; this record could be of a huge crack if unwise decision is taken today,’ it said.
“The Naga Women’s Union, as a peace loving mother, fears our children might not be able to recognize their mothers in the future and our humble family would be torn apart if a foreign law intervene our honorable way of life. We seek for peace and harmony,” it continued.