West Bengal to Table Uniform Civil Code Bill on Monday

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on June 26 that his government will introduce a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill and stricter laws targeting what he described as forceful religious conversion, "love jihad," and "land jihad." The announcements were made during a public program in Kolkata marking the 150th anniversary of the song "Vande Mataram."

Adhikari stated the UCC legislation is expected to be tabled in the state assembly during its ongoing budget session, potentially as soon as Monday, June 29. He said the government would follow a structured legal process, including forming a committee headed by a sitting judge to guide the implementation, a model previously adopted in states like Gujarat, Assam, and Uttarakhand. The proposed UCC seeks to standardize laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens, irrespective of religion.

The chief minister linked the proposed laws to national security and demographic concerns, alleging that illegal infiltration across the state's international borders had led to religious conversion and threatened the social fabric. He said his administration had strengthened border security, set up...