Last updated:
By exempting tribes from the Uniform Civil Code, the BJP aims to appeal to the public and avoid upsetting its own base among those who may see the UCC as a violation of cultural rights.
Amit Shah’s speech, which included a poll promise on the UCC proposal that exempts tribals and an assurance to review the Sarna religious code, was significant. (PTI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s promise to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Jharkhand, as part of the BJP’s manifesto, marks an important step towards national adoption of the same, marking a major exemption for the tribal population and allaying concerns. controversial code.
Shah’s speech, which included the promise of a poll of the UCC exempting the proposed tribals and a guarantee to review the Sarna religious code – a long-delayed request from the tribal community – is significant for several reasons.
Why did BJP choose Jharkhand to make an important announcement? And what message does the party want to send to the tribal population across the country, including the North Eastern region?
The BJP’s choice of Jharkhand as the next battleground for UCC implementation after Uttarakhand signals a strategic push in states with significant Muslim populations where the Hindu vote remains decisive. Let’s look at the demographics of Jharkhand today.
Demographic dividend from UCC?
According to government data, the country has about 4 percent Christians, about 15 percent Muslims, about 30-32 percent tribal population, while the rest are Hindus, making them and the tribal population the defining factor in the country.
However, the proposed implementation of the UCC could lead to polarized debate. This is also the first time that a senior minister – also the Union Home Minister – has announced the implementation of the code in a state if elected to power.
With around 15 percent of the population being Muslim and amid various accusations of demographic change and unrestricted infiltration, the UCC seems like a calculated move to consolidate Hindu voices, especially among those concerned with religious uniformity. The BJP’s stance may be consistent with its call for “equal laws for all” while highlighting Muslim personal law as contradictory or non-secular, underpinning the idea of ​​preserving Hindu identity and national cohesion.
By liberating the tribal community, the party is also trying to reduce the tension in the community by changing the ancient system of society, inheritance and marriage rules.
A two-pronged strategy
Jharkhand has around 34 Scheduled Tribe communities. According to Shah, about 30 percent of the tribal population of the state will be exempted from the UCC, which aims at two goals.
First, it shows the BJP’s nuanced approach, recognizing tribal autonomy, which could dampen the reaction of the party’s base of support in the country – the tribal community.
Second, it also cleverly upsets and upsets its own base among a population that might see the UCC as a violation of a different cultural right. The party, in the process, isolated the issue as affecting mainly Hindus and Muslims, amplifying the sentiments of the Hindu majority.
Apart from the above-mentioned strategy, the move is also important to isolate the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) in the state. The JMM is politically and ideologically opposed to the BJP’s version of cultural nationalism. By pushing the UCC in a state not ruled by the BJP, the party also aims to put the opposition in a difficult spot by forcing them to choose sides – with “reforms” and risk isolating the Muslim base or fighting back and fighting. labeled as supporters of privilege, has the potential to influence Hindu voters in an adverse way.
Test run
One of the main points, related to the UCC debate, is the possible reaction and protest of tribal communities. Society always talks about autonomy and ancient society system. Shah, in his speech, pre-emptively addressed the concerns of the tribal community which can be seen as a test run for the party because it decided to cross the waters of the problem.
In a country where tribes make a decisive call, Shah’s decision specifically exempting 30 percent of the population from the provisions of the UCC signals the party’s political strategy to gain the trust of the tribes by showing about tribal autonomy and distinct cultural practices.
This approach also addresses the concerns raised by tribal communities in the Northeast, where opposition to the UCC has been strong due to fears of cultural infringement, subsequent erosion and loss of self-governance. The exemption is a guarantee, the BJP’s position as a party willing to recognize and protect tribal rights while pushing for a broader uniform code.
- location:
Jharkhand, India
