Bengal to introduce UCC, law against conversion soon: CM
Times of India | 12 August 2026
Bankura/Midnapore: The state govt would soon introduce a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), followed by a stringent law against forced religious conversions, CM Suvendu Adhikari said. Unveiling a Rs 1,620-crore development roadmap for Junglemahal and the western districts, the CM said the state would also bring new legal restrictions on land transactions in the area.
“Very soon, we will bring the UCC. Our next step will be to bring a stringent law to prevent forced conversions and introduce new legal restrictions on the purchase and sale of land,” Adhikari said after chairing a review meeting of the Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad in Bankura.
Claiming that poor people were being misled with foreign financial assistance, the CM warned against alleged forced conversions and fundamentalist activities in Bankura and Junglemahal.
Earlier in the day, at a programme in West Midnapore’s Keshpur, Adhikari said that cases filed against individuals for raising pro-Narendra Modi slogans would be withdrawn, while asserting that those responsible for obstructing his meeting in the area in 2024 would be identified and prosecuted.
Addressing a programme at Mohoboni village, where freedom fighter Khudiram Bose was born, Adhikari said he had not forgotten the past and directed police to review cases registered during the Trinamool regime.
“Many people in Keshpur had to face atrocities for saying ‘Modiji Zindabad’. Cases were filed against them, and they had to spend time in jail. I will ask the SP to withdraw those cases,” Adhikari said.
Referring to a 2024 incident when he was allegedly prevented from holding a public meeting in Keshpur, the CM said, “I will ask the SP to take out the cases from that period. I want to see those responsible behind bars. I have not forgotten anything.”
The review meeting in Bankura was attended by MPs, MLAs, cabinet ministers, DMs and around 75 BDOs from Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram, West Midnapore, Birbhum and the two Burdwan districts.
Accusing the previous TMC govt of neglecting the western parts of the state, Adhikari alleged that the Paschimanchal development department had been rendered ineffective after BJP’s electoral gains in the region in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Adhikari directed officials to open a new Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad office in Jhargram and a camp office at Suri Zilla Parishad, in addition to the existing office at Bolpur. “We are satisfied with the performance of the district magistrates. But there is still some inertia at the level of certain BDOs. They need to become more active,” he said.
On refugees and electoral rolls, Adhikari said Hindu refugees from Bangladesh who apply under the CAA should not be deprived of ration, Annapurna benefits or old-age pensions until their applications are disposed of.
After paying tribute to Khudiram on his martyrdom day at Mohoboni, Adhikari announced an initial allocation of Rs 5 crore for the development and preservation of the freedom fighter’s birthplace. The project will include a museum, gallery, laser light-and-sound show and guest accommodation.
“Five crore rupees will not be enough for the plan we have. More funds will be required and there will be no shortage of funds,” he said, adding that the tender process would be completed during the monsoon and full-fledged work would begin from Oct.
Adhikari said Union home minister Amit Shah had recently telephoned him and expressed concern over the dilapidated condition of Khudiram’s ancestral home.
“He asked whether I had thought about doing something there. I told him that there is a plan. I am grateful to the home minister for his advice and directions,” the CM said.
Taking a swipe at the previous Left Front and TMC govts, Adhikari alleged that neither had done enough to honour freedom fighters. The CM directed the education department to ensure that Khudiram’s contribution was taught in greater detail from the primary level to university.