Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma insists Meghalaya must weigh its own needs before backing any Uniform Civil Code. This follows Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s claim in Mumbai that all 21 BJP-led NDA states will adopt a UCC before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Sangma dismissed a single, national-level code as illogical. He prefers a state-specific approach but remains skeptical.
The State government will not rush. Sangma noted, "It would be premature to take a stand without seeing the contents of any proposed legislation." Leaders must first determine if the State wants a code at all. If officials proceed, the framework must respect Meghalaya’s tribal roots and matrilineal society. This creates complications for non-matrilineal communities in the region.
Any move requires broad consensus. Sangma pledged to consult stakeholders, political parties, and various communities. The UCC touches personal laws like marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption. These issues sit at the heart of indigenous customary practices and constitutional protections. While the BJP promises to shield tribal communities, the scope of that protection stays unclear.
The BJP remains a partner in the NPP-led MDA-II government. The code is a political firebrand. Both parties now face a test of their alliance as the push for national uniformity hits the realities of local governance.
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