The Uniform Civil Code is a proposed framework to replace religion-based personal laws with one common set of secular laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens. Rooted in Article 44 of the Constitution, it seeks to promote gender justice and national integration.The new BJP government in West Bengal is planning to bring in a Bill on implementing the Uniform Civil Code in the state during the ongoing Assembly session.During the Assembly elections in the state, the BJP had promised to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) within six months of being voted to power as part of its manifesto.“It is likely that the UCC Bill will be introduced in the Assembly and it will be a law in this Assembly session itself. It will be a milestone. It is in tune with our party’s policy of one nation, one law,” said a senior BJP MLA.According to sources, a business advisory (BA) meeting was held late Thursday evening at the state Assembly, where tabling of the Bills, including UCC, was discussed.“The Bill may be placed on Monday,” said a source.The Uniform Civil Code is a proposed framework to replace religion-based personal laws with one common set of secular laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption for all citizens. Rooted in Article 44 of the Constitution, it seeks to promote gender justice and national integration.Historically, personal laws, such as the Hindu Marriage Act or Muslim Personal Law, have governed private affairs.Story continues below this adThe BJP has already implemented UCC in Uttarakhand and passed the law in Gujarat.Assam became the third BJP state to implement UCC and passed a Bill last month after returning to power in the stateThe BJP in West Bengal has also promised strict laws against “love jihad”, a term used by the party to refer to the marriage of a Muslim man with a Hindu woman, and “land jihad”, stating that its objective is to protect the state’s “social and territorial integrity” in its manifesto.Uzma Alam, a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said that implementing UCC would infringe the rights of the minorities. “We follow the Constitution of India. This is an infringement of our rights. Nothing should be forced upon us. The BJP government in West Bengal should understand this,” he told The Indian Express.Story continues below this adHis colleague, Mohd Kamrudzaman, said, “In a secular country, UCC is unacceptable. Muslims will protest.”Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas. Experience & Authority Current Role: Chief of Bureau, The Indian Express, Kolkata. Expertise: Extensive reporting across West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Ravik specializes in politics, crime, major incidents and issues, and investigative stories, demonstrating a robust command of complex and sensitive subjects. Experience: His long and distinguished career includes key reporting roles at several prestigious publications, including The Asian Age, The Statesman, The Telegraph, and The Hindustan Times. Ravik's current role marks his second stint with The Indian Express, having previously served as a Principal Correspondent in the Kolkata bureau from 2005 to 2010. Major Award: Ravik's authority and quality of work are substantiated by his winning of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for Political Reporting. Education: His strong academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree with English Honours from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik Bhattacharya's extensive tenure, specialized beat coverage, and notable award confirm his status as a trusted and authoritative voice in Indian journalism, particularly for stories emanating from Eastern India. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram