Bengal CM says UCC will be followed by laws on ‘love jihad’, ‘land jihad’ and religious conversion

PTI, Oct 4, 2026, Kolkata: The BJP government in West Bengal will bring stringent laws against “love jihad”, “land jihad” and religious conversions after implementing a Uniform Civil Code, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Sunday, seeking six months to deliver on the promises.

Addressing an event here to mark the birth centenary of Vishva Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) former president Ashok Singhal, he said the BJP government in the state would function in accordance with the Constitution, but would not tolerate attacks on Indian culture, tradition and places of worship.

“This government will not allow any anti-national activity here,” he said.

Adhikari referred to a newspaper report on a protest by “nationalist youths” against “anti-national forces” in Jadavpur University, and claimed that some still raise the “Azadi” slogan there. “We have to uproot them,” he said.

He also alleged that some people “remain silent” when terrorists single out victims, strip and kill them based on their faith, but take out processions when the IAF destroys terror infrastructure “100 km inside enemy territory”. “We have to remain vigilant against such people,” the chief minister said.

Warning against “misusing or disregarding” the colour saffron as it holds a deeper meaning for many, Adhikari said, “You can rest assured that the government will function in accordance with the Constitution. But it will not allow any attack on Indian culture, Sanatani traditions, temples and monasteries, and our heritage that spiritual icons Vivekananda and Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanya have propounded.”

Talking about the Uniform Civil Code, the chief minister said West Bengal would follow Uttarakhand and Gujarat in implementing a Uniform Civil Code.

“We will bring stringent laws against love jihad, land jihad and religious conversions after a Uniform Civil Code. Give us six months,” he told the gathering.

The West Bengal government has constituted a high-level committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to examine a draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for the state.