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Last Updated:June 27, 2026, 13:17 IST
BJP had promised UCC within 6 months of coming to power — and the BA Committee meeting on Thursday set Monday as the date to deliver on that pledge.
BJP sources claim a section of women from minority communities has welcomed the UCC proposal.
West Bengal is set to become the next BJP-governed state to move toward a Uniform Civil Code, with the UCC bill scheduled to be tabled in the state assembly this Monday. BJP had promised UCC implementation in its election manifesto, listing it among the new government’s priority legislation.
West Bengal joins a growing list of BJP-ruled states that have moved on UCC — Uttarakhand was the first to implement it, followed by Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
What Is The Uniform Civil Code?
UCC aims to replace religion-specific personal laws with a single, uniform legal framework governing civil matters — marriage, divorce, inheritance, property division, and adoption — for all citizens regardless of faith. Supporters argue it ensures equality before the law and removes discrimination arising from religion-based personal laws.
What Would The West Bengal UCC Cover?
Based on BJP’s proposed framework, the bill is expected to address the following:
| Marriage | Uniform minimum legal age across all communities; mandatory registration of all marriages |
| Gender Equality | Ban on polygamy; equal property and inheritance rights for women; equal legal protection regardless of religion |
| Live-In Relationships | Mandatory registration of live-in relationships — both at the start and end — with a designated authority |
| Divorce | Single legal framework for divorce proceedings, replacing religion-specific or customary methods; equal legal remedies for both parties |
Why Does It Matter In West Bengal Specifically?
Political leaders have flagged that minority-dominated districts — Malda, Murshidabad, and parts of North Dinajpur — could see significant political and social impact. Party sources claim a section of women from minority communities has welcomed the UCC proposal, saying it could strengthen their legal rights around marriage, divorce, and inheritance — though this claim has not been independently verified.
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For BJP, UCC is a long-standing ideological and policy commitment. If passed, it would rank among the most significant legislative reforms of West Bengal’s first BJP government.
What Is The Political Debate Likely To Look Like?
Supporters frame UCC as a step toward legal uniformity and gender equality. Critics are expected to raise concerns about its potential impact on religion-based personal laws and cultural practices — a debate that is likely to be particularly charged in a state with West Bengal’s demographic and political composition.
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News cities kolkata-news West Bengal To Table UCC Bill On Monday — What It Means, What It Covers, And Why It Matters
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