Bengal Uniform Civil Code: CM Suvendu sets up panel; legislation likely in August

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday officially initiated the process to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state, announcing a high-level committee led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to draft the framework for the legislative proposal.

The panel has been directed to deliver its recommendations within four weeks, setting the stage for the government to table the UCC Bill during the extended Budget Session of the Assembly in August, Adhikari confirmed.

Delivering the announcement on the final day of the current Assembly session, the Chief Minister stated that the state Cabinet would deliberate on the draft Bill at its meeting on 2 July before it is formalised for introduction in the house.

The decision represents one of the BJP administration's most crucial legislative steps, delivering on a core promise outlined in its election manifesto.

Pointing out that the proposed legislation borrows elements from the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, the Assam UCC law, and the Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Act, 2024, Adhikari explained that the goal is to substitute religion-specific personal laws with a unified civil framework for all citizens in the state.

He clarified that the proposed statute would exclude the state’s tribal, indigenous, Kudmi and other officially recognised ancient communities, matching the exemptions granted under the Uttarakhand and Gujarat frameworks.

Adhikari listed nine comprehensive sectors that the proposed legislation aims to govern under a standardised legal framework, including marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, adoption and other facets of family law currently ruled by distinct faith-based personal laws.

"The BJP had promised to implement the Uniform Civil Code in its election manifesto, and the government is committed to fulfilling that promise," Adhikari said, addressing the assembly.

"We are committed. Whatever we have written in our manifesto will be implemented. The UCC will be enforced in West Bengal, no matter what," he added.

The panel will be headed by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and will feature a retired IAS officer, a legal specialist, an academic, a social worker, and an Additional Secretary from the state administration, who will additionally serve as the committee's Member-Secretary to manage its administrative functions, an official noted.

Detailing the panel's mandate, the CM said it would perform a exhaustive review of the personal and family laws presently active in the state and assess the viability of introducing a shared legal system.

"The committee will examine laws relating to marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, adoption and live-in relationships, among other matters. It will also study the social and legal implications of a UCC, constitutional aspects and administrative feasibility before submitting its recommendations," he said.

The committee is also anticipated to seek feedback from stakeholders prior to concluding its report, Adhikari told the House.

Answering protests from Trinamool Congress members, led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Bandyopadhyay, who shouted slogans against the draft legislation, Adhikari mentioned that anyone with reservations or input could present them directly to the high-powered panel.

He promised the House that all perspectives would be evaluated before the panel completes its recommendations.

The declaration sparked intense pushback from the Opposition benches, with TMC MLAs alleging that the government was trying to enforce a politically driven measure.

The BJP, however, argued that a Uniform Civil Code would guarantee equality before the law by exchanging diverse religion-based personal laws for a single civil code—a long-held demand that has picked up pace after Uttarakhand became the first state to deploy a UCC.

Reaffirming the government's stance, Adhikari maintained that it would not back down from its strategy to roll out the UCC across the state.

"We are committed. The Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in Bengal. It will definitely be implemented," he said.

PTI