UCC will not affect tribals, Shah assures at conclave

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday assured tribal communities that the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will not apply to them, calling fears about the law a conspiracy. Speaking at the Janjati Sanskritik Samagam at Red Fort grounds, Shah said BJP-ruled states that have implemented the UCC have made special provisions to keep tribals out of its ambit.

"No provision of the UCC is going to be imposed upon tribal communities or Vanvasi society," Shah said. He urged people to spread the message in villages and forest regions that there is no need to fear the law. The minister also said India is moving towards being free from Naxalism, which he blamed for stalling tribal development for decades.

Shah spoke against forcible religious conversions in tribal areas, saying the Constitution gives everyone the right to follow their original faith. He also attacked previous Congress governments over tribal welfare spending, claiming the Modi government has significantly increased the budget for the community.