KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced an ambitious six-month legislative roadmap for his BJP-led government, promising to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state and follow it with stringent laws targeting what he described as “love jihad”, “land jihad” and religious conversions.
Speaking at an event in Kolkata commemorating the birth centenary of former Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Ashok Singhal, Adhikari declared that Bengal would follow Uttarakhand and Gujarat in moving towards a common civil-law framework.
“After Uttarakhand and Gujarat, UCC will be implemented in West Bengal as well. I am giving you my word, give me six months,” Adhikari said. He subsequently promised that stringent laws concerning “love jihad”, “land jihad” and religious conversion would follow the UCC.
UCC moves from election promise to legislative priority
The Uniform Civil Code was among the BJP’s major promises during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election campaign. The government’s stated objective is to establish common civil provisions across communities in areas such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption.
The government has already constituted a committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to examine the draft UCC framework. Adhikari’s latest announcement therefore marks a shift from campaign commitment to a defined implementation timeline.
The proposed legislation will be closely watched because UCC involves areas traditionally governed in part by different personal-law systems.
‘Love jihad’ and ‘land jihad’ next on the government’s agenda
The second part of Adhikari’s announcement is potentially even more politically consequential. He said that after the UCC, his government would bring “strict” and “tough” laws to prevent what he calls “love jihad”, “land jihad” and religious conversions.
The terms “love jihad” and “land jihad” are political labels used by Adhikari and other BJP leaders; the precise legal definitions and provisions of any future Bengal legislation have not yet been set out publicly.
That makes the next six months crucial.
For the BJP government, however, the proposed laws represent a broader attempt to address issues it has repeatedly raised around religious conversion, interfaith relationships and alleged unlawful acquisition or occupation of land.
‘Constitution first, culture protected’
Adhikari simultaneously sought to frame the government’s agenda within the Constitution.
He said the BJP government would function according to constitutional principles but would not tolerate attacks on Indian culture, Sanatani traditions, temples, monasteries or the heritage associated with Swami Vivekananda and Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanya.
“This government will not allow any anti-national activity here,” he said, while appealing to people to remain united and vigilant against what he described as divisive forces.
Sharp attack on TMC government
Adhikari launched a pointed attack on the previous Trinamool Congress administration. He attributed its defeat to several factors but particularly highlighted what he described as repeated instances of hurting Hindu religious sentiments, Hindu organisations, deities and traditions.
According to Adhikari, people tolerated these developments for years before ultimately rejecting the previous government through the democratic process. The change of administration represented not merely a change in political leadership but also a shift in the state’s approach to questions of religion, culture and identity.
Adhikari also recalled his participation in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement as a student and his political campaigns during his tenure as Leader of the Opposition from 2021 to 2026.
Rs 1,000-crore religious tourism plan
The government’s cultural programme is not confined to legislation. Adhikari announced a Rs 1,000-crore religious tourism circuit, which he said would be completed over the next two years. The project is an effort to strengthen religious tourism infrastructure and develop important pilgrimage and heritage destinations in the state.
He also announced plans for a mass Hanuman Chalisa recital involving 20,000 people at Netaji Indoor Stadium in November and a mass Bhagavad Gita recital involving 10 lakh people on December 29.
Preparations for the next Gangasagar Mela have also begun, with CM Adhikari promising facilities of international standards.
