Udaipur, July 13: Member of Parliament Mannalal Rawat presented the concerns of tribal communities and other social groups during a divisional-level public hearing on the draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) held in Udaipur on Monday.
The hearing was chaired by Basant Singh Chhawa at the Collectorate Mini Auditorium, where representatives of various communities and organisations submitted their suggestions regarding the proposed legislation.
During the discussion, MP Rawat urged that tribal communities be kept outside the ambit of the proposed UCC, similar to the provisions in Uttarakhand and Goa. Referring to constitutional safeguards under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules and various court rulings, he said tribal societies have distinct customary traditions and social practices that should be protected.
Rawat also stated that individuals who have converted from tribal Hindu communities to other religions should be brought under the proposed code. He described the UCC initiative as being in line with the principle of inclusive development and welcomed the government’s efforts to gather public feedback before finalising the legislation.
The hearing was attended by Udaylal Dangi, Pragya Kevalramani, Gaurav Agrawal, Deependra Singh Rathore, Jitendra Ojha and other officials.
The discussion also saw participation from representatives of political and social organisations. Rawat maintained that suggestions during the hearing should be presented either in an individual capacity or on behalf of recognised social groups, while political parties were entitled to place their views as political organisations.
He reiterated that tribal communities possess a rich cultural heritage and established customary systems that are already recognised under constitutional provisions and laws such as the PESA Act.
The public hearing was organised to collect feedback from stakeholders across the Udaipur division before recommendations on the UCC draft are forwarded to the state-level committee for further consideration.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
