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While AIMPLB has already launched an online campaign against UCC and sought more time from the legal committee to respond, the RSS is treading cautiously. (Representative image: IANS)
Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram – an affiliate of RSS – says they have ample cause for concern because many tribes across India have their own personal rules which often conflict with Hindu personal codes.
If you thought only the Muslim Personal Law Board of India (AIMPLB) was concerned about the 22nd Law Commission seeking public opinion on the contentious issue of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), two weeks ago; Think again. An affiliate of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, is equally concerned that UCC will become a reality.
The Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram — an RSS affiliate focused on the welfare of members of scheduled tribes in remote parts of India — is preparing to write to the Law Commission.
UCC was one of the BJP’s primary campaign promises. So, when a branch of the ideological guide of the Bharatiya Janata Party becomes apprehensive about the possibility of the same UCC, it makes people amazed. But those who have been associated with the VKA say they have ample reason to be concerned because many tribes across India have their own personal rules which often conflict with Hindu personal codes.
We are seeing ethnic tensions in Manipur right now. In neighboring Meghalaya, among the Faroe Islands, there is an ancient custom that the youngest daughter should become the heir to the family. Suppose UCC comes tomorrow and orders every son and daughter to share the family’s wealth equally, Garros won’t be happy, take it from me. Even their men adhere to this rule. How will you make them understand that the nation needs a single, inherently unifying personal symbol? As a senior officer of the Authority puts it.
He also cited Santhals and Kols where the picture is very different and women have no right to property.
When asked for comment, Atul Jog, curator of the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, tried to downplay it. However, speaking to News18, he said “We will definitely write to the committee. However, we are waiting to see the draft first.” But sources within the VKA told News18, the body would write to the committee even earlier.
Another contentious issue that remains is the age of marriage. Currently, a Hindu man can marry at the age of 21 while a woman can marry at the age of 18. But in many tribes this age limit is much lower. Another key employee of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram told News18, “For example, Odisha has 62 tribal groups out of which 13 are recognized as particularly vulnerable tribal groups or PVTGs. Because of child marriage and early pregnancy. So far the state government has dealt with the matter by enticing them with belated marriage incentives which have seen good response. But the moment they enact a law, these tribes will not be so cooperative.”
It is estimated that every year, at least 1.5 million girls under the age of 18 get married in India. Approximately 16% of teenage girls ages 15-19 are currently married.
VKA suspects that, if the UCC becomes law, large swathes of the tribal community will be behind bars under various sections of the POCSO Act, which was introduced to protect children’s rights. The act of engaging in sexual activities with children is a serious offense under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) 2012. But early marriage and childbearing are a norm in many tribes, the VKA wary of a barrage of criminal cases against tribes, should UCC enter .
While AIMPLB has already launched an online campaign against UCC and sought more time from the legal committee to respond, the RSS is treading cautiously. They are aware of the fact that they are stuck in a very difficult situation where they cannot go to court against reform seen as being on the Sang’s agenda but they also cannot dismiss the concerns of the people they work with.
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