Tripura Opposition Leader Rejects Uniform Civil Code Plan

Agartala: Tripura Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury slammed plans for a Uniform Civil Code on September 16. The CPI(M) leader claims the policy threatens the state's vast religious and cultural traditions. He warned the move risks silencing minorities.

Chief Minister Manik Saha previously stated Tripura will follow a central mandate on the code. Saha suggested the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council might get an exemption. Chaudhury dismissed this as insufficient. He noted that tribal groups practice Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, and traditional faiths. A blanket law ignores these complexities.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently confirmed plans to roll out the code across all 21 BJP-led NDA states by 2029. Chaudhury argued the code is a weapon against diversity. He highlighted the potential for systemic harm across different demographics. "If this is an attack on Muslims today, tomorrow it could be on tribals, the day after tomorrow on Dalits, and then on other minorities based on their language, culture and other identities," he said.

The opposition leader called on social groups and citizens to fight the proposal. He insists the party rejects the use of religion for political gain. Chaudhury wants a public discussion that respects the specific social fabric of Tripura. The debate continues to heat up across the state.