The BJP government in West Bengal is preparing to introduce a Bill to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during the ongoing Assembly session, fulfilling one of its key election promises.
According to reports, the proposed legislation could be tabled as early as Monday after being discussed during a Business Advisory Committee meeting held at the Assembly on Thursday evening.
The Uniform Civil Code seeks to replace religion-based personal laws with a common legal framework governing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption, irrespective of religion. The proposal draws its basis from Article 44 of the Constitution, which encourages the State to work towards a uniform civil code for all citizens.
The draft legislation reportedly mirrors provisions already introduced in BJP-ruled states such as Assam and Uttarakhand. According to a report filed by The Telegraph, among the proposed provisions are a complete ban on polygamy, uniform inheritance rights, measures to invalidate child marriages irrespective of religious customs, and mandatory registration of live-in relationships with district authorities. Failure to comply with the registration requirement could attract penal action.
The BJP has consistently advocated the implementation of the UCC and had promised to enact it within six months if voted to power in West Bengal. Opposition parties are expected to oppose both legislations, arguing that they could disproportionately affect religious minorities and be misused against political opponents. If introduced and passed, West Bengal would become the latest BJP-ruled state to adopt a Uniform Civil Code after Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam.
