West Bengal government is going to move forward in implementing Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and has passed new laws against illegal religious conversions and land encroachments as a part of a big policy change in the state.
While speaking to supporters on Friday, senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said the government would keep to its election promises and urged people to keep patient in the process of implementation of parliament.
"Keep the faith. Please allow us some time," Adhikari said.
He also referred to the government’s decision to make singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ compulsory in educational institutions, saying that while students are now standing during the song, full participation will take time.
"Now everybody is standing, but their lips are not moving. It will take time and soon their lips will also start moving. No anti-national activity will be allowed in the land of Rishi Aurobindo, Netaji and Syama Prasad Mookerjee," he said.
UCC to Follow Model Adopted by Other BJP-Ruled States
The Uniform Civil Code was one of the BJP’s main promises in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election manifesto. The party had promised to introduce the law within 6 months of assuming office.
According to Adhikari, the state will follow a framework similar to those adopted in Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam. One committee, chaired by a retired judge, will be formed to prepare the draft legislation, he said.
"There is a prescribed procedure for the implementation of UCC. A committee will be formed under a retired judge. We will follow the same procedure as Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Assam," Adhikari said.
Besides the UCC, the government is also going to introduce an anti-conversion law to prevent illegal (and deceptive) religious conversion. It also reiterated its commitment to removing illegal encroachments from wetlands, forest reserves and government land. Work on proposed West Bengal Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026 is already underway, Shankar Ghosh, Minister of Legislative Affairs, said.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over Proposed Law
Opposition parties have criticized the proposed legislation as such an important legal reform should be discussed with the public. Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP, questioned the aim of the proposed UCC with regard to minorities, tribal groups and existing personal laws.
Shubhankar Sarkar, West Bengal Congress president, also said his party would oppose the legislation unless it was based on an extensive consultation with all communities.
"We will certainly oppose UCC. India is a diverse country and our diversity must be respected. A single law may be good in principle, but requires support from all. Healthy debate and discourse remain essential," Sarkar said.
The proposed Uniform Civil Code is anticipated to be one of West Bengal’s most closely watched political and legal issues and one that is in the process of being adopted as a first step towards legal uniformity and the government is worried that it could spark a fresh political and social debate.
Note: Your source refers to Suvendu Adhikari as the Chief Minister. As of now he is a senior BJP leader. If your source wanted a different office-holder, you may want to verify that detail before publication.
