Staff Reporter

Shillong, July 2: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has decided to soon submit its views to the Law Commission of India on the Centre's move to implement the uniform civil code (UCC) in the country.

"We are finalising our views on the UCC since the Law Commission is asking for views and suggestions from individuals and stakeholders across the country," UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said today.

He said that the last date for submission of views has been fixed on July 14.

"We are sitting as a party to give our observations with regards to the UCC and we will let you know what is the stand of the party," Mawthoh said.

Stating that the UCC is a contentious issue, the former Nongthymmai legislator said, "We need to understand as far as the threat to secularism, the threat to minority rights and also religion. We need to understand the pros and cons of the UCC. We are yet to understand as to how this UCC is going to apply especially to us the ethnic minorities in the context of the tribal communities of the North East."

"There are a lot of things going on across the country so we need to deliberate as without understanding the pros and cons how can we say anything," he added.

Meanwhile, the UDP state youth wing will also organise an inter-college debate competition on the UCC at the party office on July 12.

"We are going to discuss the UCC as we want to sensitize the youth community and also create awareness amongst the society as a whole as it is important to know, debate and deliberate," Mawthoh informed.