Indigenous Legal Traditions and the Meo Community: Challenges in the Modern Indian Legal Framework

India's legal system is characterised by the coexistence of statutory law and customary legal traditions, reflecting its cultural diversity and commitment to legal pluralism. Among India's indigenous communities, the Meos of the Mewat region possess a distinctive customary legal system that has historically governed marriage, inheritance, land relations, dispute resolution, and community governance through unwritten norms and traditional institutions. Although the Meos profess Islam, their legal traditions incorporate indigenous, Rajput, and Islamic influences, making them a unique example of legal pluralism in India. Over time, constitutional governance, statutory reforms, judicial intervention, and socio-economic changes have significantly influenced the operation and recognition of these customary practices. While certain customs continue to provide accessible and community-based mechanisms for dispute resolution, others face constitutional scrutiny where they conflict with fundamental rights, gender equality, and statutory law. Using a doctrinal and analytical research methodology, this paper examines the historical evolution, legal status, and contemporary challenges of Meo customary law within the Indian legal framework. It analyses constitutional provisions, statutory enactments, judicial precedents, and scholarly literature to assess the compatibility of indigenous legal traditions with constitutional values. The study concludes that preserving the beneficial aspects of Meo customary law while ensuring conformity with the principles of equality, dignity, justice, and the rule of law is essential for promoting constitutional legal pluralism and protecting India's rich legal and cultural heritage.