‘UCC is a one-size-fits-all approach’

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday expressed his state’s “strong” opposition to the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), arguing against a “one-size-fits-all approach,” and flagged his concerns in a detailed letter to the Chairperson of the Law Commission of India. In the letter, he said “UCC poses a serious threat and challenges the diverse social structure of our society.” “I am writing to express Government of Tamil Nadu’s strong opposition to the idea of implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India that is known for its multicultural social fabric. While I understand the need for certain reforms, I believe that the UCC poses a serious threat and challenges the diverse social structure of our society,” he said. He said the country prides itself on being a secular nation that respects and protects the rights of minorities through Article 29 of the Constitution. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution also ensures that the tribal areas of States preserve their customs and practices through District and Regional Councils. “The UCC, by its very nature, has the potential to disproportionately affect such tribal communities and undermine their right to practice and preserve their traditional practices, customs and identities,” he said.