Why Assam Kept Tribals Out of UCC: “We Must Learn From Their Customs,” Says CM

Kangkan KalitaGuwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the tribal communities of the state are excluded from the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill passed by the state assembly on Wednesday because their existing customary laws already safeguard the tribal women against polygamy and other forms of exploitation. Nevertheless, he emphasized that the UCC will instead protect women from all religious groups, including both Hindus and Muslims, by actively eliminating gender bias. He also took a dig at Congress for opposing the Bill which he alleged to be Congress support to polygamy ---- in a way causing insult to the sufferings of the first wife.“Why have we kept the tribal communities outside the Uniform Civil Code? Because we have respected their civilisational background and traditions. We do not want to impose anything on them. Long before we introduced the UCC, through their customary rights and customary courts in a lawful and disciplined manner, these communities had already been regulating their social systems,” said Sarma in his speech in the House. He added that that is why society rarely sees distressed or neglected women within tribal societies, like that of the Shah Bano case.Sarma said that the tribal had already addressed many of the social concerns much earlier before today’s society even began thinking about such issues. Thus, he said, usually neglected or abandoned women are not seen in Bodo, Rabha, Mising, Karbi, and other tribal societies. “The community itself looks after and supports women facing difficulties,” Sarma said.“An incident like the Shah Bano case would never be allowed to happen in our society,” he affirmed.Replying to the opposition MLAs who asked why Assam’s tribal communities have been kept out of UCC, he said that the state’s tribal communities have long protected and upheld the dignity of women through strong customary systems and collective social responsibility and there is a lot to learn from them.Sarma also said that the UCC Assam also will serve a blow to ‘love jihad’, as under UCC, he said that any marriage solemnized by using pressure, pressure, fraud, manipulation or abuse will now invite legal action.“The legislation has covered the entire women fraternity with a Suraksha Kawach,” he said. Sarma noted that through UCC, both polygamy and ‘love jihad’ will now be under legal scrutiny.Sarma said the Congress’s opposition does not matter because except one Congress MLA, rest of the 18 MLAs represent a particular religion. “Except one MLA of Congress, the rest talk about their religion only. They do not have the will to speak about the community or the state,” said Sarma. He was referring to eighteen of the 19 MLAs of Congress, the largest opposition party, who are Muslims.