No threat to tribal rights under UCC: Amit Shah

New Delhi: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday invoked tribal pride, stressing that tribal communities have the right to practice their original faith, and that no one should force them to convert to another religion.

Addressing the 'Janjati Sanskritik Samagam' in Delhi, he said, "The makers of our Constitution have given every person the right to live with self-respect in their original religion. No one should be forced to change their religion out of greed. From this platform, we must pledge to protect our religion, which will keep us connected to our culture and our country," he said. "A conspiracy is being spread that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will deprive tribal people of their culture, traditions, customs, and way of life. Today, as the home minister in the Narendra Modi government, I want to make it clear that no restrictions under the UCC will be imposed on tribal communities or tribal individuals," he said.

The event was organised by Janjati Suraksha Manch, an organisation linked to the RSS, to mark the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda, who is revered by many tribal communities.