Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Tuesday said the Centre’s proposal for a State-specific Uniform Civil Code (UCC) had changed the dynamics of the debate in Meghalaya, where any such framework would have to take into account the State’s predominantly tribal and matrilineal character. He, however, said it was too early to take a position without examining the contents of the proposed legislation.
Sangma also flagged the challenge of applying a common framework in a State where several communities do not follow the matrilineal system.
Talking to Media persons in Shillong, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, “The government of India is saying, home minister is saying that the UCC will be State specific. Now, this changes everything.”
He said any Meghalaya-specific UCC would have to be examined in the context of the State’s tribal character and social structure. “In fact, if you look at a UCC for Meghalaya, it’s a tribal UCC, if it comes, that is. And the system is going to be something that’s going to be more like a matrileneal society,” Sangma said.
He said the State would not take a position without first examining the proposed legislation. “So, without seeing the content of any bill, it is very wrong to again presume and jump into conclusions,” the CM said.
He stressed the need for consultations with the public, stakeholders, political parties and communities before any decision is taken. “We need to take public into confidence. We have to discuss with stakeholders we will discuss with political parties. We’ll have to discuss more importantly with communities,” Sangma said.
The Chief Minister said the consultations would have to establish whether Meghalaya wants a UCC and, if so, what form it should take. “Number one do we want it and number two. If we do want it, then what kind of a framework we will be have?” he said.
He also pointed to the different customary and social practices followed by communities in Meghalaya, saying a uniform framework could pose concerns for those who do not follow the matrilineal system. “I think a lot of other communities who don’t follow mayrilineal system may not be very comfortable with that,” Sangma said.
“There’s no harm in discussing. There’s no harm in taking views from people and whatever we do will be in the larger interest and taking people into confidence,” he added.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that the UCC will be rolled out individually across all 21 BJP-NDA-ruled States before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, rather than through a single central parliamentary law.
