West Bengal Government to Present Uniform Civil Code Bill

The West Bengal BJP government will present the Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026 ^[1], in the state assembly on Monday.

This legislative move represents a significant shift in the state's legal landscape, as it seeks to replace disparate religious personal laws with a single set of civil regulations. The introduction of the bill fulfills a long-standing promise made by the BJP to implement a uniform code across the region.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari (BJP) is scheduled to make a formal statement in the assembly during the proceedings ^[2]. The government intends to use this session to unveil the specifics of the UCC Bill, 2026 ^[1], which focuses on standardizing laws related to marriage, divorce, and inheritance.

Opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Indian National Congress (INC), have criticized the timing and process of the introduction ^[3]. Representatives from these parties said the bill should be debated more broadly before being rushed through the House.

Supporters of the measure argue that a uniform code promotes gender equality and national integration by removing legal distinctions based on religion. Conversely, critics suggest that the move could infringe upon the cultural and religious autonomy of various minority communities.

The assembly session is expected to see intense deliberation as the government pushes for the bill's passage. This legislative push follows a pattern of similar efforts by BJP-led administrations in other Indian states to centralize personal law.