"Wherever BJP comes to power, UCC will be implemented:" Samik Bhattacharya on UCC in West Bengal
New Delhi, June 29
West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya on Sunday backed the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in the state, asserting that the law would be introduced in every region where the Bharatiya Janata Party secures power.
Speaking to ANI, West Bengal BJP President further highlighted that the party has consistently advocated for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code since its inception in 1980.
"The BJP has no hidden agenda. Since the BJP was born, it has been talking about UCC... Even when we had 2 MPs, we talked about UCC, and now with 303, we are still talking about UCC. Wherever the BJP government comes to power, UCC will be implemented, but when and how it will happen will be decided by the West Bengal government... It's not just the BJP across the country; many sections of society, including many from the minority communities, want UCC. There should be one law in one country; this is the demand of the people..." said Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya's remarks came after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari declared that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented in the state, noting that it will mirror the frameworks of Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Assam.
Speaking to the media, Adhikari said a committee is constituted under the leadership of a sitting inquiry authority, adding that details of the UCC would be shared in the Assembly on Monday.
"The Uniform Civil Code will happen in Bengal. There is a procedure that we will tell you in the Assembly. A committee has been formed under the leadership of the sitting inquiry. The way it happened in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Assam, it will be done through the same procedure," he said.
The UCC Bill, introduced in the Assembly on May 25, proposes a ban on polygamy and makes the registration of live-in relationships compulsory. It seeks to establish a common civil legal framework governing marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships, irrespective of religion.
The implementation of the Uniform Civil Code was among the key promises made by the BJP in its manifesto for the West Bengal Assembly elections.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, a step towards true equality! Personal laws have kept women in many communities unequal for too long. Polygamy ban and registration of live-in relationships are progressive steps. Hope West Bengal leads by example. 🙏
I'm a visitor to India and find this fascinating. A uniform civil code is a big deal—it could modernize the country. But it also stirs strong feelings about religious freedom. Watching from abroad, I hope the process is inclusive and respectful of all traditions.
The BJP has been talking about UCC for decades. But implementing it state by state, especially in a diverse state like Bengal, is a huge task. Bhattacharya's 'wherever BJP comes to power' line sounds like a threat, not a vision. We need consensus, not political point-scoring.
I'm all for equality before law. But why is this being rushed now? The committee formed in Bengal should consult all stakeholders, especially women's groups and minority representatives. Uniformity cannot come at the cost of coercive imposition. Let's have a genuine dialogue. 😌
As an outsider, I see India wrestling with a challenge many nations face—balancing tradition with modernization. UCC is bold, but forcing it without broad agreement could fracture society. The idea of 'one law for one country' is noble, but the process matters as much as the outcome.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.