Politics · India Bureau
West Bengal to exempt Kurmis from UCC, CM pledges case withdrawals
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government has committed to keeping the Kurmi community outside the purview of the Uniform Civil Code while withdrawing cases filed against them. The assurance comes as the state government moves to honour pre-election commitments made to the community.
LSN India ·
The West Bengal government has pledged to exempt the Kurmi community from the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) implementation in the state, marking a significant policy position ahead of ongoing political deliberations. Senior government functionary Suvendu Adhikari announced the decision, emphasising the administration's commitment to fulfilling electoral promises made to the community during previous assembly elections.
Adhikari indicated that the government would take concrete steps to withdraw cases previously registered against members of the Kurmi community, signalling an effort to rebuild relations with the group. The move reflects the state's approach of accommodating specific community concerns within its broader governance framework.
The Kurmi community, a significant agrarian group with considerable presence across eastern India, has historically voiced concerns about legislative measures affecting their traditional practices and social customs. The exemption from UCC provisions represents a direct response to these concerns, allowing the community to continue operating under their existing personal laws and customary practices.
West Bengal has maintained a cautious stance on UCC implementation, differing from other Indian states on the contentious issue. The government's latest commitment underscores its policy of negotiating community-specific arrangements rather than implementing blanket legislative approaches, particularly in the context of personal law matters.