Kolkata
West Bengal Government Plans Legislation to Prevent Forced Conversions
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced plans to introduce legislation against forced religious conversions and said a draft Uniform Civil Code bill has already been prepared for implementation in the state.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has said that the state government is planning to introduce a bill aimed at preventing forced religious conversions.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad (Western Region Development Council) in Bankura, Adhikari said the government was considering a new law to curb activities involving forced conversions. He also said that a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would be implemented in the state shortly and that a draft bill has already been prepared.
Adhikari alleged that foreign funds are being received in the name of establishing religious institutions and claimed that some of these funds are being used to facilitate religious conversions. He said the proposed legislation is being considered to immediately stop such activities.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the need to prioritise development in West Bengal’s western districts. He said a three-month action plan has been prepared with a focus on social and infrastructure development in the region.
The proposed measures come as the state government seeks to combine development initiatives in the western districts with legislation addressing issues it considers important to social and administrative governance.
