BJP MLA K. Hrahamo has publicly demanded the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Mizoram, sparking fresh debate over personal laws and tribal rights in the northeastern state. The demand was made during an event hosted at the BJP state headquarters in Aizawl, where he addressed issues surrounding marriage, divorce, and inheritance among tribal communities.
Hrahamo argued that Mizoram's existing customary laws leave women — particularly those who marry outside their community — vulnerable on matters of property rights and marital security. He said that a uniform civil code, which typically provides for monogamy and regulated divorce and property distribution, would offer greater legal clarity and protection to Mizo women wedding non-tribal men, whose unions may not be fully covered under current customary provisions.
He also pointed to the rising non-tribal population in Mizoram as a reason why the state should reconsider whether its personal laws remain adequate for a changing demographic landscape. The MLA stated that a thorough examination of the UCC issue was needed, urging authorities to study how such a code could coexist with the constitutional protections afforded to tribal communities under the Sixth Schedule and Article 371G.
Mizoram currently operates under a mix of customary laws and statutory provisions governing marriage and succession among its tribal communities. These customary practices have long been a point of pride and protection for the state's indigenous population but also face criticism when they conflict with gender equality objectives.
The demand mirrors a broader national conversation around the UCC, championed by the central government. Several states have already moved toward adopting a uniform code, while others, including Mizoram, have faced resistance from tribal groups worried about erosion of their cultural autonomy.
Civil society groups and women's organizations in Mizoram have been divided on the issue, with some welcoming the call for legal reform and others warning that a blanket UCC could undermine longstanding tribal customs and protections.
