Sunday Monitor

UCC can strengthen Meghalaya’s matrilineal traditions

UCC can harmonise with state's customs while reinforcing its progressive ethos, promoting equality and justice

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) holds the potential to significantly benefit and strengthen India as a nation by fostering equality, justice and national integration.

The UCC implementation is a progressive step towards ensuring that all citizens, irrespective of religion, caste or gender, are governed by the same legal framework in civil matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption.

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The UCC is a transformative reform that strengthens India’s constitutional values of equality, secularism and justice. By addressing disparities in personal laws, it ensures that the rights of women and other marginalised groups are upheld, paving the way for a more equitable and united society.

Uttarakhand’s implementation of UCC is a bold and commendable step, and it sets a precedent for other states to follow in building a fair and inclusive India.

UCC addresses discriminatory practices against women that exist in various personal laws, ensuring equal rights in marriage, divorce, and property inheritance. It abolishes practices like polygamy and discriminatory divorce laws, thereby promoting gender equality. For example, women across all communities will have equal rights to divorce and property, empowering them socially and economically.

A uniform set of laws reinforces the idea of “one nation, one law”, fostering a sense of unity among citizens. It reduces divisions based on religious or community-specific laws, thereby, promoting social cohesion and national integration.

The UCC eliminates unequal legal treatment based on religion, ensuring that all citizens are subject to the same legal standards. This aligns with the constitutional mandate of equality under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution.

A uniform code simplifies the legal system, making it more accessible and efficient for citizens and the judiciary. It reduces confusion and conflicts arising from overlapping personal laws, ensuring quicker and more consistent justice delivery.

UCC is a step towards aligning India’s legal system with contemporary values of equality and human rights, reflecting the nation’s progress. It is a move away from archaic and often discriminatory practices rooted in historical traditions.

By removing legal complexities, UCC encourages a stable legal environment, which is conducive to economic growth and attracts investment.

Equal property rights for women boost their financial independence, contributing to overall economic development.

UCC embodies the secular ethos of India by ensuring that laws are not influenced by religious doctrines, but are based on justice and equality. It provides a common legal framework that respects diversity while promoting fairness.

While concerns about the erosion of cultural identities are valid, it is essential to recognise that UCC aims to ensure justice and equality, not to undermine traditions.

Adequate consultation with stakeholders, including tribal groups and religious communities, can ensure that their cultural practices are respected while aligning them with the principles of equality.

The UCC implementation in Meghalaya could complement its unique matrilineal system by providing a stronger legal framework to protect and empower women while preserving their cultural identity.

Meghalaya’s matrilineal traditions, where property and lineage pass through women, already reflect principles of gender equity.

UCC can further enhance these traditions by formalising equal rights for women in areas like divorce, inheritance and maintenance, ensuring their interests are safeguarded within a unified legal framework. By addressing issues such as property disputes or discriminatory practices that may exist even within matrilineal communities, UCC can strengthen women’s socio-economic status.

Moreover, with adequate consultation and safeguards, UCC can harmonise with Meghalaya’s customs while reinforcing its progressive ethos, setting an example of how traditional practices and modern legal reforms can coexist to promote equality and justice.

(Views are personal)

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