Uniform Civil Code Won't Affect Northeast, Tribals, Says Minister

SP Singh Baghel said that as per Schedule 6 of the Constitution, nothing will apply to tribal areas in the northeast unless their own state legislatures ratify the centre's decision.

SP Singh Baghel, the former junior law minister who was recently shifted to the health ministry, has said that the tribal rights and customs in the Northeast and other parts of the country will not be impacted by the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), becoming the first member of the government to spell out the assurance amid a growing pushback.

Mr Baghel, who is now the minister of state for health, told reporters on Tuesday that the BJP respects the diversity and culture of the tribal communities and will not impose any law that goes against their interests.

"The BJP chose to nominate a tribal woman as the President of India, the highest post in the land. It also has the largest number of tribal MLAs, MPs, Rajya Sabha members and ministers. The customs of the Northeast are respected by the party, and we will not hurt any religious or social customs, but appeasement politics is not right either," he said.

He also said that as per Schedule 6 of the Constitution, which grants special provisions to certain tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, nothing will apply to them unless their own state legislatures ratify the centre's decision.