West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on October 4 promised that the state would implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) within six months, following Uttarakhand and Gujarat. Speaking at an event in Kolkata organised to mark the birth centenary of former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Ashok Singhal, Adhikari also announced plans for stringent laws against what he described as “love jihad”, “land jihad” and religious conversion.
He said his BJP-led government would work within the Constitution while protecting Indian culture, traditions and religious sites. The announcement comes as a state-appointed committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, is examining a draft UCC for Bengal.
Six-Month Deadline For UCC
Adhikari said the government would move ahead with the UCC after the committee completes its work. “I am giving you my word. Very soon, after Uttarakhand and Gujarat, UCC will be implemented in West Bengal as well. Give me six months,” he said while addressing the gathering. The proposed UCC is expected to create a common framework for civil matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption across communities.
Adhikari had earlier said that the committee would seek suggestions from the public and conduct hearings across five divisions of the state before making its recommendations. He had also maintained that he would introduce the legislation in the Assembly after receiving the committee’s report.
Bengal’s UCC Push Comes Amid Wider National Debate
The announcement comes amid growing efforts by BJP-ruled states to introduce common civil laws. Uttarakhand became the first state to implement a UCC in January 2025. Gujarat’s UCC Bill received President Droupadi Murmu’s assent on September 17, 2026, while Assam’s UCC Bill received presidential assent on September 29. The President’s Secretariat lists both Gujarat and Assam among state Bills that have received assent. This means Adhikari’s reference to Bengal becoming the “third state” appears to refer to the states he considers to have implemented or be immediately implementing the UCC, rather than all states whose legislation has received presidential assent.
In Bengal, the proposed law is still at the drafting and consultation stage. The state committee is headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and includes government officials. Public hearings are planned across Presidency, Burdwan, Midnapore, Malda and Jalpaiguri divisions. Adhikari also said that, after the UCC, his government would bring “strict, tough laws” concerning what he called “love jihad”, “land jihad” and religious conversion. He further announced a ₹1,000-crore religious tourism circuit to be developed over two years.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Any reform of personal laws has far-reaching consequences because these laws govern deeply personal aspects of people’s lives, including marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and family relationships. A Uniform Civil Code can potentially strengthen the principle of equal treatment before the law and create greater consistency in areas where different personal laws currently apply. It could also provide an opportunity to address discriminatory practices and strengthen safeguards for women and other vulnerable groups. However, achieving legal uniformity is a complex process in a diverse country such as India, where communities have distinct customs, traditions and religious practices protected by constitutional principles.
For West Bengal, the proposed UCC should therefore not become merely a political contest between competing ideological positions. The government has a responsibility to explain clearly what the proposed legislation will contain, which existing laws and practices it will replace, and how it will affect different communities. The consultation process should be meaningful rather than symbolic, allowing citizens, women’s organisations, religious and community representatives, tribal groups, legal experts and civil society organisations to raise concerns and suggest changes. Particular attention should also be given to communities whose customary practices have constitutional protection.
At the same time, opposition to the UCC should also be accommodated through democratic debate rather than reduced to political or religious confrontation. Supporters and critics should be able to question the proposal, examine its provisions and demand safeguards without fear of being labelled as anti-national or anti-religious. The government should publish the committee’s recommendations and proposed legislation transparently and allow sufficient time for public and legislative scrutiny before implementation.
Ultimately, the success of any civil law reform should be measured not by how quickly it is passed, but by whether it delivers greater equality, justice and dignity while respecting India’s constitutional framework and social diversity. West Bengal’s UCC debate can become an opportunity for constructive reform if it is guided by dialogue, empathy and evidence rather than polarisation. Do you think West Bengal should move ahead with a UCC within six months, and what safeguards should be put in place to ensure that greater legal equality does not come at the cost of the rights, traditions and diversity of different communities?
Also Read: Three Days Of Delhi Anti-SIR Protests: 100+ Held, 15 Cops Injured – What We Know So Far
