West Bengal has formally initiated the process of implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), with the state government constituting a high-level committee to prepare a draft of the proposed legislation. The panel will be headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
The committee has been tasked with examining existing legal provisions and submitting its recommendations within four weeks. Based on the report, the government is expected to draft the UCC Bill before placing it before the state Cabinet and later introducing it in the Legislative Assembly.
The proposed Uniform Civil Code seeks to establish a common set of civil laws governing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption, and succession, replacing religion-based personal laws with a uniform legal framework.
The move has triggered political reactions across the state. While the government has described the initiative as a step toward ensuring equality before the law, the Trinamool Congress has opposed the proposal, alleging that it could impact the personal laws of minority communities.
With the drafting committee now in place, West Bengal has officially set the process for a Uniform Civil Code in motion, marking a significant legislative development in the state.