Suvendu Adhikari promises West Bengal Uniform Civil Code and love jihad laws in six months

West Bengal UCC implementation timeline

West Bengal will implement a Uniform Civil Code and introduce strict laws targeting "love jihad", "land jihad" and forced religious conversions within six months, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced.

Speaking at an event in Kolkata, Adhikari said his newly formed administration would follow the models of Uttarakhand and Gujarat in standardising civil laws across all communities.

The state government has already set up a high-level committee, led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, to examine a draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for West Bengal. According to a government notification, the proposed bill will standardise rules on marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption across all communities.

"After Uttarakhand and Gujarat, the UCC will be implemented in West Bengal as well," Adhikari told the gathering, which was held to mark the birth centenary of former Vishva Hindu Parishad president Ashok Singhal. "I promise you, give me six months."

Laws against love jihad in West Bengal

The Chief Minister said that once the civil code is in place, his government will immediately turn its attention to framing tough legislation against forced conversions and interfaith relationships or land deals that he categorised as "jihad".

"This government will not allow any anti-national activity here," Adhikari said. He added that while the administration would function strictly in accordance with the Constitution, it would not tolerate attacks on Hindu traditions, temples, or monasteries.

The UCC was a central campaign promise for the BJP during the 2026 assembly elections, which saw the party oust the long-ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). Adhikari, who served as the leader of the opposition between 2021 and 2026, blamed the previous TMC administration's downfall on its "repeated hurt to Hindu sentiments".

He also accused the previous government of deliberately dividing communities in the state, listing regional groups like the Tamang, Lepcha, Rai, Rajbanshi, and Matua. He claimed the previous administration had stoked conflicts between Adivasis and Kurmis to maintain power.

Religious projects and tourism in West Bengal

Alongside the policy shifts, Adhikari announced several large-scale religious and tourism initiatives. The state has earmarked 1,000 crore rupees for a religious tourism circuit, which is expected to be completed within two years. Preparations have also begun for the annual Gangasagar Mela, which the Chief Minister promised would be upgraded to international standards.

A series of major religious events are planned for the coming months in Kolkata, including a recital of the Hanuman Chalisa by 20,000 people at the Netaji Indoor Stadium on 17 November, followed by a mass Gita recital by one million people at the Brigade Parade Ground on 29 December.