Bengal BJP clarifies ST not under UCC Bill purview

Kolkata, June 27 (IANS) As the crucial Bill on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in West Bengal is all set to be tabled in the Assembly on June 29, the BJP state chief Samik Bhattacharya on Saturday clarified the doubts among the common people regarding the proposed Bill, especially on whether the Scheduled Tribes would come under its purview.

In a social media statement issued on Saturday, Bhattacharya clarified that under no circumstances would the Scheduled Tribes come under the purview of the said UCC Bill.

He stated that nothing contained in this Code shall apply to members of any Scheduled Tribe within the meaning of clause (25) of Article 366 read with Article 342 of the Constitution of India.

According to him, the BJP’s position on a Uniform Civil Code in India is long-standing and clear. He also said it was part of the party’s election manifesto and political promise before the recently concluded West Bengal assembly polls, and there was no hiding or masking it.

He said that the BJP believed a Uniform Civil Code was necessary in West Bengal because equal rights and equal duties should be ensured for all citizens under the law.

He added that a uniform civil structure, rather than different personal laws based on religion in civil matters, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption, could further strengthen the ideals of unity, justice, and constitutional equality of the country.

He also said that if this law were enacted, the same civil provisions would apply to all citizens, and it could also be a significant step towards eliminating such discrimination where private law allowed for polygamy.

However, he also clarified that determining the number of children is not part of the UCC’s purpose or provisions.

He further clarified that there was no reason to spread confusion about the Uniform Civil Code, adding that on the one hand, the goal of establishing equal civil law for all citizens, and on the other hand, the special protection of the Scheduled Tribes provided by the Constitution, these two issues had been given priority together.

–IANS

src/dan