The Minister of Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, announced that the government plans to exclude tribal communities from the purview of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). This decision is intended to allow tribal communities in the Northeast and other regions to continue practicing their traditions freely. Speaking at an event organized by the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Rijiju clarified the government’s stance on the UCC. He addressed the discussions on social media, saying that some people are creating a negative environment. He explained, ‘As a central minister, I want to clarify our government’s position. Our government and the BJP are considering the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in accordance with the Constitution. If criminal laws are the same for all, why should civil laws not be?’ He also mentioned that some states have begun working on this. ‘However, we have clearly stated that tribals will be exempted. They should be given the freedom to live in their own way. This (Uniform Civil Code) will not apply to Schedule 6, Schedule 5, the Northeast and other tribal areas,’ he added. He also pointed out that the UCC has been implemented in Uttarakhand and indirectly criticized the Congress, mentioning the lack of representation of tribal communities in the central government in the past.
