West Bengal is set to take a significant legislative step with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government reportedly preparing to introduce a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill during a special session of the Assembly scheduled for Monday.
According to sources, the proposed legislation aims to establish a common set of civil laws governing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession and adoption, irrespective of religious affiliation.
If enacted, West Bengal would become the fourth state in the country to move towards implementing a Uniform Civil Code, following Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam.
The move is in line with the Centre’s broader objective of introducing a common civil framework across the country under the principle of “One Nation, One Law.”
The UCC seeks to replace religion-specific personal laws with a uniform legal structure applicable to all citizens in civil matters.
Uttarakhand became the first state in India to implement a Uniform Civil Code when the law came into force on 27 January 2025. The legislation introduced several significant provisions, including a ban on polygamy, mandatory registration of live-in relationships, equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters, and legal recognition for children born out of live-in relationships.
Gujarat subsequently adopted a similar framework, while Assam has already passed a UCC Bill in the state Assembly.
Discussions are currently underway regarding the detailed legal provisions and implementation mechanisms in Assam. The issue had figured prominently in the BJP’s campaign narrative ahead of the Assembly elections.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had stated during the campaign that a BJP government in West Bengal would introduce a Uniform Civil Code if voted to power. While the state government has not yet officially disclosed the contents of the proposed Bill, sources indicate that it may draw from key provisions already implemented in Uttarakhand and considered by other BJP-ruled states.
The special Assembly session on Monday is also expected to witness the introduction of another major piece of legislation aimed at combating corruption. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has indicated that the government intends to bring a stringent anti-corruption Bill empowering authorities not only to prosecute individuals found guilty of corruption but also to confiscate assets acquired through illicit means.
The twin legislative initiatives are being viewed as part of the new government’s broader governance and legal reform agenda.