AGARTALA: Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury has raised concerns over the potential impact of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on minority communities and tribal customary practices, intensifying the ongoing debate over the proposed law in Tripura.
The CPI(M) leader’s remarks came after Chief Minister Manik Saha said the state would implement the UCC if the Centre issued directions, and separately indicated that tribal areas could remain exempt given that customary laws govern matters such as marriage and inheritance there. Saha did not announce a final exemption or detail how such an arrangement would function.
Chaudhury, who has previously criticised the UCC, has argued in the past that the code could dilute constitutional principles and threaten cultural diversity. His current concerns centre on the protection of community rights and customary practices, particularly for tribal communities governed by the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
The issue has gained renewed national attention after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said NDA-ruled states would introduce the UCC before 2029. The debate comes as Tripura prepares for TTAADC Village Committee elections, bringing tribal governance and customary rights into sharper public focus.
The state government has not yet released a detailed UCC proposal specifying which personal laws it would replace or which communities might be exempted.