West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday announced that his government will implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state within six months, a move that would make West Bengal the third state in the country to adopt the common code.
Adhikari made the announcement while addressing the centenary celebrations of late VHP leader Ashok Singhal in Kolkata, where he also promised stringent laws against what he termed ‘love jihad’ and ‘land jihad’.
What Adhikari announced
- Uniform Civil Code to be implemented in West Bengal within six months
- New laws against ‘love jihad’ and ‘land jihad’
- Bengal would become the third state to implement the UCC
The UCC has been a long-standing commitment of the BJP, and its implementation in West Bengal would mark a significant political and legislative milestone for the party’s state government.
What is the Uniform Civil Code?
The Uniform Civil Code refers to a common set of laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and maintenance for all citizens, irrespective of religion. At present, these matters are governed by religion-based personal laws for different communities, alongside the secular Special Marriage Act.
Supporters argue that a common code would ensure equality and strengthen gender justice, while critics have raised concerns about cultural diversity and minority rights — making it one of the most debated reform proposals in the country.
Political significance
The announcement places West Bengal at the centre of the national debate on the Uniform Civil Code, which seeks a common set of laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption for all citizens, replacing religion-based personal laws.
Adhikari’s remarks on ‘love jihad’ and ‘land jihad’ also signal an aggressive legislative agenda on issues the BJP has campaigned on in the state.
Reactions awaited
Opposition parties are expected to respond sharply to the announcement, setting the stage for a heated political confrontation in the state. Legal experts note that the drafting of the code and its passage through the legislative process will be closely watched.
The road ahead
Implementing the UCC will require the state government to constitute a drafting committee, hold consultations and then pilot a bill through the state legislature. Given the six-month deadline announced by the Chief Minister, the drafting process is expected to begin soon.
Uttarakhand became the first state to implement the UCC, and its framework is widely seen as the template other states may follow. Whether Bengal’s version mirrors that model or charts its own course will become clear once the draft is unveiled.
With the announcement, the Adhikari government has set itself a tight six-month deadline — and the coming weeks are likely to reveal the contours of the proposed code and the accompanying legislation.
