Kiphire, April 12 (MExN): The Kiphire District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) organised a legal seminar-cum-essay writing competition for students in collaboration with Zisaji Presidency College Kiphire on April 10.
According to a press release from the KDLSA, the topic for the event was ‘Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Nagaland.’ CJM and KDLSA Secretary Phuleto Yeptho spoke on the topic and said that the basic idea behind the formulation of UCC was that ‘all sections of the society, irrespective of their religion, shall be treated equally according to a National Civil Code, which shall be applicable to all uniformly.’ Instead of fighting over particular issues like inheritance, marital separation, and childcare responsibilities in personal laws, through UCC, the government can ensure gender equality, protection of socially disadvantaged section etc, he said. He also cited the example of Goa Civil Code which makes Goa the only state to have a UCC in the form of Common Family Law. The UCC in Goa is a progressive law that allows equal division of income and property between husband and wife and also between children regardless of gender, he added.
On the other hand, he also noted that implementation of UCC has been opposed by several all communities and said that instead of trying to force ‘One India One Law’ on all religions, changes should be made in personal laws that are outdated and derogatory to any section of people.
Meanwhile, Head of Department, Political Science Asst Professor Gagan Chandra Mishra spoke on ‘UCC- Retrospect and Introspect’ and stated that discrimination is still very strong in the society and highlighted various articles related to rights to equality before law, right to freedom of religion and cultural, the release stated.
In the essay competition, Chingkela from 6th Semester, Lomathong from 6th Semester and Tsise from 6th semester won first, second and third prizes respectively. The winners were awarded with certificates along with cash prizes by DLSA, Kiphire. All total around 170 participated in the seminar.
