Bengal to implement UCC in 6 months, bring laws against love jihad: CM Suvendu Adhikari

Suvendu Adhikari said West Bengal would implement the Uniform Civil Code within six months. He said the move would be followed by laws on religious conversion, "love jihad" and "land jihad".

In Short

• West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari promises UCC implementation in six months
• Strict laws planned against love jihad, land jihad, and forced religious conversion
• Previous state government accused of dividing communities in hills, says CM

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has promised to implement the Uniform Civil Code in the state within six months, saying his government will also bring strict laws against what he called “love jihad”, “land jihad” and forced religious conversion.

Addressing a gathering, Adhikari said West Bengal would follow Uttarakhand and Gujarat in implementing the UCC.

“After Uttarakhand and Gujarat, the UCC will be implemented in West Bengal as well. I promise you, give me six months,” Adhikari said.

He added that once the UCC was implemented, his government would work on laws targeting “love jihad”, “land jihad” and religious conversion.

‘STRICT LAWS’ AGAINST CONVERSION

Adhikari also assured the gathering that a strict law would be framed against forced religious conversion in West Bengal.

“After the UCC, I will work to bring in strict laws to stop ‘love jihad’, ‘land jihad’ and religious conversion,” he said.

The announcement comes after Uttarakhand and Gujarat, which Adhikari cited as examples of states moving towards implementation of the UCC.

Adhikari also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over employment, while calling for action against people he described as having entered the country from outside.

“Modiji, give us jobs, give us jobs. This force has to be completely uprooted,” he said.

“Modiji has already made India a global leader, but those who have entered from within must also be dealt with through unity and organisation,” he added.

‘PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION DIVIDED US’

The West Bengal Chief Minister also accused the previous administration of creating divisions among different communities in the state.

“After many years, you have brought a nationalist government to power with many dreams. These dreams will not go in vain,” he said.

“The previous administration had divided us,” Adhikari said, alleging that divisions had been created among the Tamang, Lepcha and Rai communities and 11 other communities in the hills.

He also alleged that Rajbanshi society had been divided and that the Matua community had been split into two.

“It created conflicts between the Thakurbari and the Lormi/Kurmi communities, and between Adivasis and Kurmis. It kept creating conflicts everywhere, all to divide us,” he said.

HANUMAN CHALISA, GITA RECITATION PLANNED

Adhikari also announced religious programmes in Kolkata.

A Hanuman Chalisa recitation is scheduled to take place in Kolkata on November 17.

A Gita recitation will then be held at Kolkata's iconic Brigade Parade Ground on December 29.

The announcements come as the Adhikari government outlines its plans on the UCC, religious conversion and other issues that the Chief Minister has linked to the state's cultural and political identity.

- Ends