Trinamool Leader Abhishek Banerjee Condemns BJP's Uniform Civil Code Pledge in Bengal
Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee launched a scathing attack on Thursday against the Bharatiya Janata Party's election promise to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in West Bengal within six months of assuming office. Speaking at a political rally in Kultikri, Gopiballavpur, Banerjee alleged that the proposed UCC would essentially dictate how citizens practice their religion, with particularly severe consequences for Scheduled Tribes and the Kudmi community.
UCC as Religious Imposition
"Earlier, Amit Shah mentioned implementing UCC if they come into office. UCC is basically forcing on you how you shall practise your religion," Banerjee declared to the assembled crowd. "And the most affected by this will be the STs and Kudmis. Every individual is different from one another. But with UCC, they will decide how we shall practise our religion. And they spoke of implementing it within six months."
The Trinamool leader framed the BJP's promise as an assault on religious freedom and cultural diversity, arguing that a one-size-fits-all civil code cannot accommodate the varied traditions and practices of Bengal's diverse communities.
Warning Against Vote Division in Tribal Belt
Banerjee's criticism extended to what he characterized as BJP attempts to fracture the electoral landscape in Gopiballavpur, a constituency that Trinamool has held since 2011. The BJP has fielded Rajesh Mahato, a Kudmi leader, as their candidate in this tribal-dominated region.
"On one hand, our candidate is Ajit Mahato, and on the other, you all know the BJP candidate from here," Banerjee stated. "In the last 2021 polls, he contested as an independent candidate and got around 1,500 votes. Today, he has hurt Kudmi sentiments, cracked a deal and joined BJP to become the candidate."
Addressing the Kudmi community directly, Banerjee urged vigilance: "To all the Kudmi brothers and sisters here, if the BJP candidate comes to you urging for votes, question them."
Language Inclusion Challenge to BJP
The Trinamool general secretary highlighted what he described as the BJP's failure to address the Kudmi community's longstanding demand for recognition of the Kudmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
"We all support the demands of Kudmi Samaj. Two months back, the Mamata Banerjee govt sent a letter to the central govt for the inclusion of the Kudmali language in the 8th Schedule. But the Centre did not do anything about it," Banerjee revealed.
He issued a direct challenge to both the BJP and their candidate Rajesh Mahato: "I challenge — if BJP or Rajesh Mahato can prove me wrong, I shall quit politics. And now they are stating that they will include the Kudmali language in the 8th Schedule and give it its due respect. But why haven't they done it so far? They can extend the tenure of ED/CBI directors with one letter, then why can't they give approval to the demand of the Kudmi brothers?"
Accusations of Social Division
Banerjee concluded his address with broader accusations against the BJP's political strategy. "This BJP has misled you. They have created a rift between Adivasi and Kudmi, SC and ST, Hindu and Muslim, farmer and worker," he asserted, positioning Trinamool as the party protecting Bengal's social harmony against divisive forces.
The rally in Kultikri represents a significant moment in Bengal's ongoing political discourse, with Banerjee framing the upcoming elections as a choice between preserving religious and cultural autonomy versus accepting what he characterizes as imposed uniformity from the central government.
