No UCC restrictions will be imposed on tribal society: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday addressed a large gathering of tribal communities from across the country in New Delhi and assured them that no restrictions under the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would be imposed on the tribal community or tribal society.

“I want to make it clear from this platform that no restrictions of the UCC will be imposed on the tribal community or on tribal individuals. The UCC will not infringe upon any tribal rights,” Shah said.

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He stated that the UCC has already been implemented in two BJP-ruled states, including Gujarat and Uttarakhand. Shah added that the Narendra Modi-led government has made special provisions to exclude all tribal communities from the ambit of the UCC.

Addressing the Janjati Sanskriti Samagam organised by the Janjati Suraksha Manch at the Red Fort grounds to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary year of tribal icon Birsa Munda, Shah stressed the importance of preserving tribal culture and traditions.

He said tribal communities worship nature, and this reverence for nature connects them deeply with Sanatan Dharma.

Referring to episodes from the Ramayana, Shah said Lord Ram accepted the half-eaten berries offered by Shabari to convey the message that all human beings are equal. He also said that by washing the feet of Nishadraj, Lord Ram honoured forest dwellers and tribal communities.

The Home Minister urged the gathering to strengthen their connection with religion and culture, saying it would help preserve India’s civilisational heritage.

Remembering Birsa Munda, Shah said that despite the absence of modern communication facilities during his time, the tribal leader spread the message across the country that “this is our country, our religion is the true religion, and no one can occupy our forests.”

Shah said the large tribal gathering in Delhi would be remembered for years to come. He also praised Ganesh Ram Bhagat and Satendra Singh, saying the movement led by them for protecting tribal identity, uniting tribal communities and preserving tribal culture was the first such major movement after Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan movement.

Launching an attack on the Congress, Shah alleged that during the Congress regime, the total budget allocation for tribal welfare was only Rs 28,000 crore, whereas the Modi government had increased it to Rs 1.5 lakh crore.

The conclave was held under the chairmanship of Ganesh Ram Bhagat in the presence of Vishnu Deo Sai, Mohan Charan Majhi and Rekha Gupta.

Shah reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to integrating tribal communities into the mainstream of the country’s development journey.