The West Bengal government has initiated the process of introducing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) by constituting a nine-member expert committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. The committee has been tasked with examining the draft legislation before it is tabled during the upcoming August session of the West Bengal Assembly. The proposed law is expected to exempt indigenous communities, reflecting the government's effort to balance legal uniformity with the protection of traditional customs.
The move marks a significant political and legislative development, as the government seeks to fulfil one of its major election promises. The BJP had prominently included the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in its West Bengal Assembly election manifesto, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah assuring voters that the law would be introduced within six months of the party assuming power in the state.
The Uniform Civil Code seeks to establish a common set of civil laws applicable to all citizens, irrespective of religion, caste or community. Instead of different personal laws governing various religious groups, the UCC proposes a single legal framework for civil matters.
The proposed code would cover key areas such as:
The primary objective of the UCC is to ensure equality before the law by bringing personal laws under one common legal structure. Proponents argue that such a system would promote gender justice, legal clarity and equal rights for all citizens in civil matters.
If the proposed legislation is passed by the Assembly, West Bengal would become the fourth BJP-ruled state to take legislative steps towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code.
Uttarakhand became the first state in the country to enact a UCC law in February 2024, while Gujarat and Assam have also initiated similar legislative efforts this year. The latest move in West Bengal is viewed as part of the BJP's broader national agenda of implementing a Uniform Civil Code, a long-standing commitment mentioned in the party's election manifestos and public campaigns.
The formation of the expert committee indicates that the state government intends to follow a structured legislative process before placing the draft before the Assembly.
One of the notable features of the proposed legislation is the government's decision to exempt indigenous communities from its ambit. The exemption is aimed at safeguarding the customary practices and traditional legal systems followed by tribal and indigenous groups, while extending a uniform civil framework to the rest of the population.
Officials believe this approach attempts to strike a balance between constitutional equality and the preservation of cultural diversity.
The proposed UCC Bill is expected to generate extensive debate both inside and outside the Assembly. Supporters describe it as an important reform that would simplify personal laws, eliminate legal disparities and strengthen the principle of equal citizenship.
Critics, however, have consistently expressed concerns that a common civil code could affect the religious and cultural autonomy of different communities. They argue that India's diversity requires careful consideration before replacing community-specific personal laws with a uniform legal framework.
Given the political significance of the issue, the Assembly session is likely to witness intense discussions before the legislation is put to a vote.
The proposed Uniform Civil Code comes shortly after the state enacted another major legislation. In June, the Assembly passed the Public Safety and Control of Anti-Social Activities Bill, 2026, aimed at strengthening measures against violence, riots and organised anti-social activities.
According to the government, the law seeks to enhance public order by providing stricter legal provisions against individuals involved in inciting violence and disrupting peace. Officials have maintained that the legislation would serve as a strong deterrent while enabling law enforcement agencies to respond more effectively to incidents of public disorder.
With the UCC proposal now moving forward, the August Assembly session is expected to be one of the most significant legislative sittings of the year, as the government pushes ahead with another key electoral commitment that could have far-reaching legal, political and social implications.
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