SUVENDU ADHIKARI VOWS ‘LOVE JIHAD’ AND ‘LAND JIHAD’ LAWS, PUTS UCC ON BENGAL AGENDA

October 4, 2026

KOLKATA — Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has pledged to introduce legislation targeting what he describes as “love jihad” and “land jihad” in West Bengal within six months, while also promising to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state.

Adhikari’s announcement signals the BJP’s intention to make religious conversion, interfaith relationships, land ownership and uniform personal laws central issues in its political campaign in Bengal. He has presented the proposed measures as part of a broader effort to address what the party characterises as threats to cultural identity, property rights and social security.

The proposed legislation would seek to address allegations of coercive religious conversion and what the BJP describes as organised attempts to acquire land through unlawful means. However, the precise provisions, legal framework and enforcement mechanisms of the proposed laws have not yet been detailed.

Adhikari’s commitment to a Uniform Civil Code adds another significant dimension to the BJP’s political agenda. The proposed code would aim to establish common personal laws governing matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption, replacing different provisions applicable to various religious communities.

The announcement is likely to intensify political debate in West Bengal, where questions of religious identity, constitutional rights and secular governance remain highly contentious. Any attempt to introduce such legislation would face scrutiny over its constitutional validity, potential impact on minority communities and compatibility with existing laws.

Adhikari’s remarks place these proposals at the forefront of the BJP’s political messaging in Bengal, setting the stage for a wider confrontation with its opponents over the future direction of the state’s legal and social policies.