BJP Leader Adhikari Claims UCC Bill Will Be Introduced in West Bengal Assembly

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Monday claimed that a Bill to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state will be introduced in the Assembly in August. However, the state government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has not announced any such plan.

Speaking in the Assembly, Adhikari said that the state Cabinet will give its in-principle approval to the UCC on July 2. He stated that the government had set up a committee led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to study family laws. The committee is expected to submit a report in four weeks. It includes a retired IAS officer, a legal expert, an educationist, a social worker, and an additional secretary of the state government. The committee will examine laws related to marriage, succession, and live-in relationships.

Adhikari referred to the BJP's election manifesto, which promised the UCC within six months of coming to power. He cited the ideology of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, saying, "In one country, there cannot be two sets of laws for the people."

He added that recognised tribal communities, including Adivasis, Kurmis, and other indigenous groups, would be excluded from the proposed law. This exemption means the UCC would primarily affect Muslims and Christians, who follow separate family laws. West Bengal has a Muslim population of about 27%, as per the last census.

Adhikari said the state would draw inspiration from Gujarat, Assam, and Uttarakhand, where the UCC has been implemented. While he was speaking, Trinamool Congress MLAs led by senior leader Ritabrata Banerjee raised slogans in protest. Adhikari responded by saying that anyone with objections could submit them directly to the Desai committee.

It is important to note that the current West Bengal government is led by the Trinamool Congress, and no official confirmation of the UCC bill has been issued by the state cabinet. The BJP remains in opposition in the state. The Uniform Civil Code has been a contentious issue in Indian politics, with proponents arguing for a uniform set of laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens, while opponents claim it infringes upon religious freedom. The exemption of tribal communities from the proposed West Bengal law mirrors similar provisions in other states, aiming to protect customary practices.

The Desai committee's report will be crucial in shaping the contours of the proposed legislation. The committee's composition, including a retired judge and experts, suggests an attempt to balance legal rigor with social considerations. However, without official backing from the state government, the timeline for the bill remains uncertain.