Bengal Government Plans Anti-Conversion Law, UCC and NRC, Announces Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari

KalimNews, June 27, 2026, Kolkata : West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday announced that his government intends to introduce a stringent law against religious conversion, implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and enforce the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state, describing the proposed measures as essential for strengthening national security and preserving Bengal's cultural identity.

The announcement was made during a programme at Rabindra Sadan in Kolkata to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, the iconic national song composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Addressing the gathering, Adhikari alleged that illegal infiltration through West Bengal's international border had contributed to religious conversions, demographic changes and activities that, according to him, posed challenges to the state's social fabric and India's national security. He, however, did not present evidence to support these allegations during his speech.

Seeking time from the public, the Chief Minister said his government was committed to introducing a strict law against religious conversion, implementing the Uniform Civil Code and enforcing the National Register of Citizens in West Bengal.

According to Adhikari, the proposed Uniform Civil Code would be implemented on the lines of the models adopted in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Assam. He said a committee headed by a sitting inquiry authority had already been constituted and that details of the proposed legislation would be placed before the State Assembly on Monday.

The Chief Minister said the proposed anti-conversion law, the Uniform Civil Code and the National Register of Citizens were intended to strengthen governance and safeguard the state's cultural heritage. He noted that while several Indian states already have laws regulating religious conversion, the UCC seeks to establish a common set of personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance and related civil matters irrespective of religion. He added that the NRC would help identify lawful residents while distinguishing them from illegal immigrants.

Speaking on border management, Adhikari claimed that his government had strengthened border security by providing land required for border infrastructure. He also stated that holding centres had been established in border districts to identify and facilitate the repatriation of persons found to have entered the country illegally.

According to the Chief Minister, individuals entering India illegally and engaging in activities that threaten the country's culture or national security would be sent back in accordance with the law.

Drawing a distinction between illegal immigrants and people covered under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, Adhikari said Hindus who had migrated to India after facing religious persecution in neighbouring countries should not be treated as infiltrators and would be eligible for Indian citizenship under the provisions of the CAA.

Reiterating his government's commitment to preserving Bengal's heritage, Adhikari described West Bengal as India's "cultural and spiritual capital" and asserted that no force would be allowed to weaken its cultural identity or national character.

Paying tribute to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the Chief Minister described the celebrated author of Vande Mataram as a visionary writer, journalist and administrator whose contributions continue to inspire generations. Referring to Vande Mataram as a "Sanjeevani Mantra" for the nation, he said the song symbolised patriotism, unity and national consciousness.

Adhikari also said that, for the first time, the state government had organised official programmes at Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's ancestral residence at Kathalpara in Naihati and at his Kolkata residence to commemorate his birth anniversary. He alleged that during an earlier visit to the author's Kolkata residence under the previous Trinamool Congress government, he had been denied entry because the premises had remained locked.

Recalling the Emergency imposed in 1975, the Chief Minister announced that a state-level felicitation programme would be organised on August 9 to honour those who had resisted the Emergency and suffered persecution. He also accepted a proposal to constitute a coordination committee of Loktantra Senanis (democracy fighters) to facilitate their recognition, adding that eligible persons would receive official recognition certificates in accordance with government rules.

The Chief Minister further announced that the government had accepted several proposals submitted by the Citizen Government Forum, including organising seminars on constitutional, social and national issues, celebrating the birth anniversaries of eminent national personalities, and undertaking relief and charitable activities during natural disasters.

Speaking about the recent Taratala warehouse collapse, Adhikari said six people had been arrested and that the Kolkata Police Crime Branch was investigating the incident under the direct supervision of the Kolkata Police Commissioner. He added that he was receiving regular updates from the Home Secretary.

The Chief Minister announced that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation would blacklist the architect and planner responsible for supervising the project, warning that strict legal and administrative action would be taken against everyone found responsible. Calling the blacklisting "only the beginning", he said any architect, planner or designer found neglecting supervisory responsibilities in future would face similar action.

He also warned against illegal construction and the alleged practice of demanding bribes for building plan approvals. Urging citizens to come forward, Adhikari appealed to anyone who had allegedly been forced to pay illegal money for building approvals in Kolkata or adjoining municipalities to lodge complaints with their nearest police station.

To strengthen oversight of urban development, the Chief Minister announced the formation of a multi-agency committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Rajesh Pandey to conduct a comprehensive audit of all under-construction high-rise and commercial buildings. Officials from several state departments, along with experts from RITES and IIT Kharagpur, will be part of the committee. The audit will continue until July 31, followed by a separate 90-day review of fire safety systems and lightning arrestors in such buildings.

Later in the day, Adhikari inaugurated a BJP party office in Bhowanipore, his Assembly constituency, and announced that he would be available there for two days every month to meet local residents, hear their grievances and strengthen communication between the people and their elected representative. (With PTI inputs)