Suvendu Says UCC Will Be Implemented in Bengal Following Due Process
State signals structured implementation plan as discussions advance on uniform civil law framework ahead of Assembly proceedings
Kolkata, June 26: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday indicated that the state government is preparing to move ahead with the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), assuring that all constitutional and legal procedures will be strictly followed.
Speaking during a programme held at College Street in north Kolkata to mark the 189th birth anniversary of literary icon Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Adhikari said the state’s approach would mirror procedural steps taken in other states that have initiated similar reforms.
He stated that the government remains committed to adhering to the established framework for introducing such a major legal reform, emphasizing that due process will be central to the exercise.
According to officials, the proposal to introduce a UCC-related bill may come up during the ongoing budget session of the state assembly, with indications that it could be tabled as early as Monday. The move is expected to advance discussions on a uniform legal framework governing personal laws such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and related civil matters.
Sources further noted that the matter was reviewed in a recent Business Advisory Committee meeting in the assembly, where procedural steps and legislative timelines were discussed and tentatively finalized.
If introduced, the proposed legislation could represent a significant policy development in the state’s governance landscape, aligning West Bengal with other states that have already initiated or implemented similar civil code measures.
Officials also highlighted that the proposal aligns with earlier political commitments made ahead of the 2026 state assembly elections, where the party had promised phased implementation of the UCC within a defined timeframe.
Party representatives pointed out that several states, including Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, have already moved forward with UCC-related frameworks, and West Bengal’s approach would follow a comparable legislative path.
Separately, during the same event, Adhikari paid tribute to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the celebrated author of the national song “Vande Mataram,” acknowledging his contribution to India’s cultural and nationalist heritage.
He also announced plans for the establishment of a national level “Vande Mataram” museum as part of commemorative initiatives marking 150 years of the iconic composition, aimed at preserving and promoting its historical significance.
