The proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, which was scheduled to be tabled in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly on Monday, is unlikely to be introduced immediately, according to last-minute developments. Sources indicate that the state government is not keen on rushing the process and may instead adopt a more consultative approach.
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Reports suggest that the government plans to constitute a committee to draft the framework of the proposed legislation. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is expected to formally announce the panel, which will likely be chaired by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. The committee is also expected to include representatives from opposition parties.
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If implemented, West Bengal would become the fourth BJP-ruled state โ after Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam โ to move towards enforcing a Uniform Civil Code. However, for now, the timeline for tabling the bill appears to have been postponed.
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According to government sources, the objective of the proposed UCC is to replace various personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and live-in relationships with a unified legal framework. The move is seen as an effort to strengthen the rule of law and promote gender equality. Officials, however, have emphasized that the government does not intend to take any hasty decisions on such a sensitive issue.
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The development comes in the backdrop of Assam recently passing its own UCC legislation after an extensive debate in the state assembly. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the move as a long-standing constitutional commitment rooted in the Directive Principles of State Policy, rather than a purely political agenda. He also pointed to historical debates in the Constituent Assembly, noting that the idea had once received support across party lines, including from the Congress.
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The Assam law seeks to bring matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, registration of live-in relationships, and prohibition of polygamy under a single legal framework, with a focus on ensuring womenโs rights and gender equality. However, it notably excludes tribal communities from its ambit in order to preserve their traditional customs and constitutional protections.
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Sources at Nabanna, the state secretariat, indicate that West Bengalโs proposed UCC bill may similarly consider the customs and constitutional safeguards of communities in regions such as the Hills and Jangalmahal. A final decision on these aspects is expected only once the bill is formally introduced.
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The UCC legislation in Assam had triggered intense political debate. TMC MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed raised concerns that certain provisions could infringe upon Islamic personal laws and religious freedoms, although he supported measures aimed at curbing child marriage and regulating polygamy. The Congress had also demanded that the bill be referred to a Select Committee, citing concerns over insufficient consultation and sensitivity to religious issues.
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Political observers believe that the introduction of a UCC bill in West Bengal is likely to emerge as a major political flashpoint. While the BJP is expected to position it as a step towards gender justice, uniformity in civil laws, and good governance, opposition parties are likely to highlight concerns regarding religious freedom and minority rights.
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Senior BJP leaders have reiterated that the Uniform Civil Code is not targeted at any particular religion but is intended as a constitutional measure to ensure equal civil laws for all citizens.
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