West Bengal BJP Government to Introduce Uniform Civil Code Bill in Current Assembly Session

The newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal is set to introduce a Bill for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during the ongoing Assembly session, senior party sources confirmed on Wednesday.

The Uniform Civil Code, envisioned under Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, seeks to replace religion-based personal laws with a common set of secular rules governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens. The proposed framework aims to promote gender justice and national integration.

During the recent Assembly elections, the BJP had promised in its manifesto to implement the UCC within six months of coming to power. A senior BJP MLA, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: 'It is likely that the UCC Bill will be introduced in the Assembly and it will be a law in this Assembly session itself. It will be a milestone. It is in tune with our party’s policy of one nation, one law.'

The move has triggered debate among political parties and civil society groups. While supporters argue that a uniform code will ensure equality and secularism, opponents contend that it may infringe upon the religious freedoms guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution. The West Bengal government has not yet released the draft of the proposed Bill.

This development marks a significant step in the BJP’s legislative agenda in the state, which the party won for the first time in the 2024 elections. The Assembly session is expected to continue for another two weeks.