West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh on Monday, 14 September 2026, threw his weight behind implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across India, urging that the process begin in West Bengal and then extend to other states. Speaking to reporters in Newtown, Ghosh said the UCC was indispensable for the nation's unity, integrity, and security.

'Absolutely, the Uniform Civil Code should be implemented in the country, starting with Bengal, our state, and then in other states. It is essential for the unity, integrity, and security of the nation,' he said.

Backing Amit Shah's 2029 UCC Target

Ghosh's remarks came a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared on Sunday at a press conference in Mumbai that the UCC would be implemented in all 21 states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) before 2029. Shah said, 'We introduced the Uniform Civil Code in several states. I am confident that we will implement the UCC in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led NDA before 2029.'

The UCC seeks to establish a unified framework of personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption, irrespective of an individual's religious affiliation. Uttarakhand became the first state to enact the code in 2024, setting a legislative precedent that BJP-governed states are now looking to replicate.

Madrasa Crackdown: Ghosh's Remarks

The minister also addressed the West Bengal government's ongoing scrutiny of madrasas operating without requisite authorisation. 'Anything illegal, whether madrasas or restaurants, cannot operate outside the law without government permission. The government is scrutinising everything, and any unauthorised establishment will be closed. To operate, they must get government permission,' Ghosh said.

The remarks follow state authorities issuing closure notices to 252 madrasas as part of a statewide review of Islamic educational institutions. Show-cause notices have reportedly been served to around 100 other madrasas during the first phase of the verification exercise. Most of the 252 institutions facing closure are reportedly associated with the Khariji sect. District-wise, 44 are in Malda, 37 in Uttar Dinajpur, 32 in South 24 Parganas, and 25 each in Nadia and Murshidabad.

The statewide survey was ordered by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in June to ascertain the count of recognised and unrecognised madrasas functioning in the state.

BRICS Summit and India's Global Standing

Ghosh also praised India's hosting of the BRICS Summit, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for raising the country's global profile. 'The BRICS summit held in India reached a high level under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. India's hospitality charmed everyone, paving the way for a new world order in business and global politics,' he said. He added that human security and financial security should remain key priorities on India's international agenda.

Political Context and What's Next

Ghosh's endorsement of the UCC from within West Bengal — a state governed by the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) — carries pointed political significance. The BJP, which holds a significant opposition presence in the state, has repeatedly championed the UCC as a national integration measure, while critics argue that it risks overriding community-specific personal laws without adequate consultation. With the 2029 deadline now publicly stated by Home Minister Shah, pressure on non-BJP states to respond to the UCC debate is expected to intensify in the months ahead.