After UCC, West Bengal will have laws against ‘love jihad’, ‘land jihad’, religious conversion: Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday said his government would move to enact stringent laws targeting “love jihad”, “land jihad” and religious conversion after implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the State, which he promised within the next six months.
Adhikari’s pledge on UCC and follow-up laws
Speaking at an event in Kolkata to mark the birth centenary of the late Ashok Singhal, former president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Mr. Adhikari committed to a swift rollout of the UCC in West Bengal and outlined subsequent legislative steps.
“UCC will be implemented in West Bengal soon, I am giving my word, give me only six months. After that, we will bring stringent laws against ‘love jihad’, ‘land jihad’ and religious conversion,” the Chief Minister said.
Framing the move as part of a broader mandate, he added that the people of West Bengal had elected a nationalist government “with a lot of hopes after 50 years,” and asserted that his administration would fulfil those aspirations.
Political messaging and call for vigilance
Mr. Adhikari sharply criticised the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, accusing it of dividing people along lines of caste and community. “This government will not allow any anti-national activity here,” he said, urging citizens to remain united and vigilant against “divisive forces.”
Religious and cultural events announced
Detailing a calendar of upcoming public events, the Chief Minister said the State would host a recital of the Hanuman Chalisa by 20,000 participants at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in November. He also announced plans for a mass recital of the Bhagavad Gita by 10 lakh people on December 29, 2026.
Mr. Adhikari added that preparations had begun for the Gangasagar Mela early next year, promising facilities “comparable with international standards.”
Committee and draft bill on UCC
In July 2026, the West Bengal government constituted a high-level committee chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to examine a draft Uniform Civil Code for the State. The committee was formed in view of the “wide ramifications and voluminous nature of the subject domain of the proposed legislation,” according to the State government’s notification.
The government has already prepared a Draft Bill titled “The Uniform Civil Code, West Bengal, 2026,” aimed at establishing a comprehensive legal framework for all residents of the State, “irrespective of religion, faith or community,” covering core personal civil matters such as marriage, divorce, intestate succession and testamentary succession.
Timeline and prior commitments
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership had pledged to implement a UCC in West Bengal during the campaign for the 2026 Assembly election. On June 29, Mr. Adhikari informed the West Bengal Assembly that the UCC would be implemented soon and referred to the formation of the committee led by Justice Desai to examine the draft bill. The State Cabinet approved the constitution of the committee on July 2, and the notification was issued on July 10.
What’s next
Reiterating his six-month timeline for UCC implementation, Mr. Adhikari indicated that his government would follow through with additional legislation addressing “love jihad,” “land jihad” and religious conversion thereafter. He coupled the legislative roadmap with plans for large-scale religious gatherings and infrastructural preparations for the upcoming Gangasagar Mela, positioning them as part of the administration’s broader governance and cultural agenda.
The Chief Minister’s announcements underscore his government’s intent to advance the UCC and related statutes in line with pre-election commitments, while signalling a tougher stance on activities he described as divisive or anti-national.
