KOLKATA, June 29: 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 headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to prepare the framework for the proposed legislation.
The committee has been tasked with submitting its recommendations within four weeks, paving the way for the government to introduce the UCC Bill during the extended Budget Session of the Assembly in August, Adhikari said.
Making the announcement on the concluding day of the current Assembly session, the chief minister said the state Cabinet would consider the draft Bill at its scheduled meeting on July 2 before it is finalised for introduction in the legislature.
The move marks one of the BJP government’s most significant legislative initiatives, fulfilling a key commitment made in its election manifesto.
Stating 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, Adhikari said the objective is to replace religion-specific personal laws with a common civil framework governing citizens across the state.
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.
Adhikari outlined nine broad areas that the proposed law seeks to regulate under a uniform legal framework, including marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, adoption and other aspects of family law that are presently governed by different personal laws based on religion.
“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 committee will be chaired by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and comprise a retired IAS officer, a legal expert, an academician, a social worker and an Additional Secretary from the state administration, who will also function as the committee’s Member-Secretary and oversee its administrative work, an official said.
Explaining the committee’s terms of reference, the CM said it would undertake a comprehensive review of the personal and family laws currently in force in the state and examine the feasibility of introducing a common legal framework.
“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 expected to invite representations from stakeholders before finalising its report, Adhikari informed the House.
Responding to protests from Trinamool Congress legislators, led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Bandyopadhyay, who raised slogans opposing the proposed legislation, Adhikari said anyone with objections or suggestions could submit them directly to the high-powered committee.
He assured the House that all views would be considered before the committee finalises its recommendations.The announcement triggered sharp protests from the Opposition benches, with TMC legislators accusing the government of attempting to impose a politically motivated measure. (PTI)
