Suvendu Adhikari proposes anti-conversion law to tackle 'love jihad' and 'land jihad' in West Bengal, details
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West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Friday, June 26, that the state government plans to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and introduce tougher legislation against land jihad, love jihad, and forced religious conversions. Appealing for patience, Adhikari told residents, "Keep the faith. Please allow us some time."
_202606271635151027_H@@IGHT_400_W@@IDTH_700.jpg "Suvendu Adhikari")
On the UCC, Adhikari said West Bengal would follow a model similar to that adopted by Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam. A retired judge would head a dedicated committee, with public consultations and stakeholder input gathered before the Bill is tabled in the legislature. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shankar Ghosh confirmed that work on the West Bengal Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, is already in progress.
"We are very concerned about the intent of the bill. We believe it is being brought only for polarisation," she said. West Bengal Congress president Shubhankar Sarkar similarly announced his party's opposition, stressing that a law of such far-reaching significance demands broad consultations across communities. "India is a diverse country, and its diversity must be respected. A single law may be good in principle, but it requires support from all," he said.
Commenting on the state's mandate making Vande Mataram compulsory in schools, Adhikari noted that while students are now standing during the national song, many are yet to actually sing it. "Now, everybody is standing, but their lips are not moving. It will take time, and soon their lips will also start moving. No anti-national activity will be allowed in the land of Rishi Aurobindo, Netaji, and Syama Prasad Mookerjee," he stated.
The BJP's 2026 West Bengal election manifesto had included commitments to enact the UCC within six months of coming to power, introduce an anti-conversion law targeting illegal or deceptive religious conversions, and clear illegal encroachments from wetlands, forest reserves, and government land within 200 days.
On the UCC, Adhikari said West Bengal would follow a model similar to that adopted by Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam. A retired judge would head a dedicated committee, with public consultations and stakeholder input gathered before the Bill is tabled in the legislature. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shankar Ghosh confirmed that work on the West Bengal Uniform Civil Code Bill, 2026, is already in progress.
The proposed legislation has, however, faced pushback from opposition parties, who warn it could aggravate social tensions. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra questioned the government's motives, expressing concern about the Bill's implications for minorities, tribal communities, and existing personal laws.
"We are very concerned about the intent of the bill. We believe it is being brought only for polarisation," she said. West Bengal Congress president Shubhankar Sarkar similarly announced his party's opposition, stressing that a law of such far-reaching significance demands broad consultations across communities. "India is a diverse country, and its diversity must be respected. A single law may be good in principle, but it requires support from all," he said.