HM Amit Shah Assures To Exclude Christians In State From Uniform Civil Code: Naga Delegation

A delegation of Naga leaders has confirmed that they have been assured by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah of ‘government considering Christians and some tribals’ to exclude from the proposed Uniform Civil Code legislation.

The 12-member Naga delegation led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, met Amit Shah on Wednesday and discussed Uniform Civil Code.

“We apprised the Home Minister of Article 371 (A), which is applicable to Nagaland and is based on the 16-point agreement signed between the Naga tribes and the government of India in 1960,” spokesperson of the Nagaland government and an advisor to the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), K G Kenye told The Indian Express.

“As per this agreement, as well as Article 371 (A), the freedom we exercise in our religious and cultural practices can’t be impinged upon by any Center law passed by the parliament. Only if such a law is also passed by the State Assembly as a resolution, can it become applicable to the state of Nagaland,” he added.

As per Kanye, the Home Minister assured him of excluding the Christians in Nagaland and some tribal communities from the scope of UCC.

The 16-point agreement from the 1960, grants special status to Nagaland, protects Naga customary laws, socio-religious practices, as well as land and resources.

With inputs from The Indian Express.