Chhattisgarh to roll out Uniform Civil Code, Scheduled Tribes out of its ambit
Chhattisgarh plans to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) after a government-appointed committee completes its draft, with Scheduled Tribes to remain outside its purview, Deputy
Chhattisgarh plans to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) after a government-appointed committee completes its draft, with Scheduled Tribes to remain outside its purview, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma has said. He said the proposed code would apply to all other communities in the state. The move is part of the roadmap announced by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who has also said that the UCC Bill will be introduced in the Chhattisgarh Assembly during the upcoming winter session. A five-member committee headed by Justice (retired) Ranjana Prakash Desai is currently seeking views from citizens and stakeholders. Read Full Story Speaking to reporters in Raipur on Friday, Sharma said, "The Chief Minister has already announced that the Scheduled Tribe community, whose life is traditionally governed by its customs and traditions, will remain separate and the rest will be included in the UCC." He said the government had been clear from the beginning that ST communities would be excluded from the proposed code. Referring to the ongoing exercise, Sharma had earlier said the UCC was an issue that was repeatedly discussed in society and that work in Chhattisgarh was being carried out through the committee headed by Justice Desai.
"Feedback is being sought from people," he said. He added, "The Chief Minister has already made it clear that the Scheduled Tribe community will remain outside the UCC and will not be bound by it because they follow a traditional way of life. But there should be one law and one provision for all other communities. Work is underway on this, and in the coming time we will see the UCC being implemented in Chhattisgarh." Reacting to Sharma's remarks, Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij said on Friday that if the government had decided to keep tribals outside the UCC, it was because of the Congress' opposition and "fear". "We have been continuously raising concerns about the UCC along with the tribal community. The government has repeatedly said that it will implement the UCC. We have pointed out that Chhattisgarh has a large tribal population and the Constitution gives special rights to tribals," Baij said. Baij said tribals make up more than 32 per cent of the state's population and have special constitutional protections.
He referred to the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act and the powers of gram sabhas, and questioned how particularly vulnerable tribal groups such as the Baiga would be affected by the proposed code. He alleged that the government wanted to use the UCC to facilitate the exploitation of tribal land and natural resources and open the door for industrialists. "We have been continuously raising our voice against it. We will not allow the UCC to be implemented as it is against tribals and their constitutional rights," he said. He also said the government should clearly state whether tribals would be included or excluded from the UCC, failing which "every tribal will be ready to protest against the UCC". The committee set up by the Chhattisgarh government invited suggestions and opinions from citizens, organisations and other stakeholders on August 4. Officials said government and non-government organisations, social groups, religious institutions, communities and political parties have been asked to submit their views and representations by October 15.
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