West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday said his government will move ahead with implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state by following proper legal procedures, similar to the path taken by Gujarat and Assam.
Speaking on the sidelines of a government programme in Kolkata to mark the 189th birth anniversary of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Adhikari said the process would be carried out carefully and in line with the law.
“There is a procedure for UCC implementation, and we will adhere to that. This will be similar to Gujarat and Assam,” Adhikari said.
UCC Bill Likely To Be Tabled In Bengal Assembly
According to sources in the state cabinet, the BJP government is expected to introduce the Uniform Civil Code Bill in the Assembly on Monday during the ongoing Budget Session. The decision was reportedly finalised during the Business Advisory Committee meeting held on Thursday evening.
The move comes much earlier than the BJP’s earlier promise of introducing the law within six months of forming the government.
The proposed UCC is being seen as one of the biggest policy decisions of the new government and could trigger a major political debate in the state.
BJP’s Poll Promise Moves Faster Than Expected
Before the 2026 Assembly elections, the BJP had made the UCC a key promise in its manifesto. While releasing the party’s ‘Sankalp Patra’, Amit Shah had said the law would be introduced within six months if the BJP came to power.
A minister in the Adhikari-led government said West Bengal is now preparing to follow the path of other BJP-ruled states.
“Several states, including Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, have already implemented UCC proposals. Bengal will now also implement it as promised before the elections,” the minister said.
What Is Uniform Civil Code?
The Uniform Civil Code proposes a common set of civil laws for all citizens, regardless of religion. It covers matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and succession.
Supporters of the UCC say it will ensure equality before the law and remove differences based on religion-specific personal laws. However, opposition parties and several community groups argue that personal laws are linked to religious freedom and identity.
Vande Mataram Museum Also Announced
During the programme, Adhikari paid tribute to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the author of Vande Mataram. He also announced that the state government would build a national-level “Vande Mataram” museum as part of the celebrations marking 150 years of the song.
