UCC Will Be Implemented in Bengal, Says CM Suvendu Adhikari

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has reiterated that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in the state, stating that the government is following a structured legal process similar to the one adopted in Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam.

Addressing the media, Adhikari said, "The Uniform Civil Code will happen in Bengal. There is a procedure that we will tell you in the Assembly. A committee has been formed under the leadership of the sitting inquiry. The way it happened in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Assam, it will be done in the same procedure."

The Chief Minister's statement comes ahead of the proposed introduction of the Uniform Civil Code Bill in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. The BJP government has maintained that implementing the UCC was one of its key election promises and is moving ahead with the legislative process.

The proposed legislation aims to establish a common set of civil laws governing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and succession, replacing religion-based personal laws. As in other states that have adopted the UCC, Scheduled Tribes are expected to remain exempt from its provisions.

With the BJP enjoying a comfortable majority in the 294-member Assembly, the government is expected to push the bill through after debate.

The proposed legislation is likely to trigger intense political debate, with supporters describing it as a step towards equality before the law, while critics are expected to raise concerns over its implementation and impact on personal laws.