The BJP welcomed the likely introduction of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the West Bengal Assembly, calling it a major step toward equal civil rights, women’s empowerment, and ending appeasement politics under the newly elected Suvendu Adhikari-led government.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday welcomed the likely introduction of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the West Bengal Assembly next week, describing it as a landmark reform that would promote equal rights for all citizens while bringing an end to what it termed decades of appeasement politics in the state.
The move is expected to come under the newly elected Suvendu Adhikari-led government, which had promised during the Assembly election campaign to implement the Uniform Civil Code within six months of assuming office. If the Bill is tabled as anticipated, West Bengal will become the fourth BJP-ruled state to formally introduce legislation on the UCC.
Speaking to reporters, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the proposed legislation represents a significant step toward ensuring parity in citizens’ rights regardless of religion. He asserted that the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code reflects the BJP’s long-standing commitment to constitutional equality and legal uniformity across communities.
Poonawalla said that the BJP has already implemented the UCC in Assam and Uttarakhand, while Gujarat has also initiated the legislative process. Similar initiatives have been undertaken in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, and now West Bengal is expected to join the list of states advancing the party’s flagship legal reform agenda.
According to the BJP leader, the proposed legislation signifies the end of vote-bank politics in West Bengal, a state that has been governed for decades by the Left Front and later the Trinamool Congress. He argued that the new government is committed to delivering equal legal protections to every citizen without discrimination based on religion.
The Uniform Civil Code seeks to replace religion-based personal laws with a common legal framework governing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and succession. Supporters of the legislation argue that it strengthens constitutional principles of equality, gender justice and uniform legal rights for all citizens.
The BJP has consistently maintained that the UCC is not directed against any particular religion but is intended to establish a common civil framework applicable to every Indian citizen. The party considers the legislation an important step toward fulfilling the vision of equal citizenship enshrined in the Constitution.
Poonawalla also criticised opposition parties for resisting the proposed legislation. He alleged that certain political groups continue to prioritise vote-bank politics over women’s rights and social reforms. Referring to previous legal and constitutional debates, including the Shah Bano and Shayara Bano cases, he claimed that the Congress has historically opposed progressive reforms despite supporting similar constitutional principles in the past.
He further pointed out that Goa has long followed a version of a common civil code, arguing that opposition parties have adopted contradictory positions on the issue over the years. According to him, resistance to the UCC reflects political considerations rather than genuine concerns about constitutional values.
Political observers believe that the introduction of the Bill is likely to trigger intense debate inside and outside the Assembly. While the BJP maintains that the legislation will ensure equal treatment before the law and strengthen women’s rights, opposition parties are expected to raise concerns regarding constitutional protections, religious freedom and the practical implications of implementing a uniform legal framework.
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If enacted, the Uniform Civil Code would replace religion-specific personal laws relating to marriage, divorce, adoption and inheritance with a single set of civil laws applicable to all citizens. The proposed legislation is expected to become one of the most significant legal and political developments in West Bengal, fulfilling a key electoral promise of the BJP government while contributing to the broader national debate on the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code.
