West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday formally set in motion the process of introducing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state, announcing the constitution of a high-level committee to prepare the framework for the proposed legislation. The bill is likely to be presented before the cabinet on July 2 and is expected to be tabled before the assembly in August this year.
What The Uniform Civil Code in Bengal Aims
The Uniform Civil Code in Bengal seeks to establish a common civil framework irrespective of religion. It will focus on 9 core areas, with 5 major areas being –
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Maintenance
- Inheritance
- Adoption
The other aspects of family law will also be included in the UCC that are presently governed by different personal laws based on religion. The committee will also examine laws related to live-in-relatonships, according to the Chief Minister.
Adhikari said the objective is to replace religion-specific personal laws with a common civil framework governing citizens across the state.
He said that the proposed law has been modelled on the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, the Assam UCC law and the Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Act, 2024.
He clarified that the proposed legislation would exempt the state’s tribal, indigenous, Kudmi and other officially recognised ancient communities, in line with the exemptions provided under the Uttarakhand and Gujarat models.
Suvendu Adhikari High-Level Panel Headed By Former Supreme Court Judge
Adhikari said that former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai will head a committee that will formulate the UCC bill. It will comprise a retired IAS officer, a legal expert, an academician, a social worker and an Additional Secretary from the state administration.
The committee has been tasked with submitting its recommendations within four weeks.
The cabinet would consider the draft Bill at its scheduled meeting on July 2 before it is finalised for introduction in the legislature.
BJP’s UCC Push To Face Twin TMC Challenge
As and when the bill is presented in the West Bengal legislative assembly, an unusual political contest. The bill is set to trigger a contest between the treasury benches and the opposition, but also between the two rival TMC factions seeking to outdo each other as the principal voice against the legislation.
Notably, both factions of the TMC have registered opposition to the bill.
Ritabrata Bandyopadhyay, on Monday, raised slogans opposing the proposed legislation, Adhikari said anyone with objections or suggestions could submit them directly to the high-powered committee.
During the discussion, TMC rival camps led by former chief minister and party supremo Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, whose month-long tussle for control of the party is now expected to spill onto the Assembly floor.