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Speaking at an event organised by the RSS-affiliated Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram in New Delhi, Rijiju clarified the government’s position on the UCC
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said that tribals in the northeast and other parts of India will be excluded from the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), stating that this exemption will allow them to continue living according to their own customs and traditions.
Speaking at an event organised by the RSS-affiliated Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram in New Delhi, Rijiju clarified the government’s position on the UCC. He said some people on social media were spreading false narratives against the government’s plans but did not name anyone specifically.
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He explained, “Our government and party (BJP) think about (bringing) a Uniform Civil Code in the country as per the Constitution. When criminal law is equal for all, why should the civil law also not be (equal for everyone)”
Rijiju added that some states have already begun work on implementing the UCC.
“But we have clearly said that tribals will be exempted from this. Let advasis be given freedom to live in their own way. This (UCC) will not be implemented in Schedule 6, Schedule 5, northeast and other tribal areas in the country,” he added.
Currently, the Uniform Civil Code is being examined by the Law Commission.
About Uniform Civil Code
Uttarakhand became the first Indian state to implement the UCC earlier this year, passing a comprehensive law covering matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and maintenance.
The UCC aims to create one civil law applicable to all religious communities, unlike India’s existing system where different personal laws govern different religions. However, after extensive debate, tribal communities have been exempted to protect their traditional customs.
The draft UCC, prepared by a five-member expert committee headed by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, consists of 392 sections across seven schedules. It was submitted to the Uttarakhand government in February 2024 and quickly approved by the state cabinet and governor.
The law also includes bans on practices such as halala, iddat, and talaq under Muslim personal law.
(With inputs from PTI)
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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