Kolkata, 11 August (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced that his government is preparing to introduce legislation dealing with religious conversion and land transactions, in what the BJP government has described as an effort to address the issue of “land jihad”.

Speaking after an administrative meeting in Bankura, Adhikari said his government had taken several steps to protect the interests of Hindus and that two major tasks remained—bringing legislation on religious conversion and regulating the buying and selling of land.

“We have given land along the border to the BSF. We have cancelled the illegal OBC list. We have stopped the allowance for imams and muezzins. We have protected the honour of the cow. Muharram was observed, but we did not allow swords to be taken out. The UCC will come within a few days,” the Chief Minister said.

He added, “Two tasks are still pending for me—bringing laws on religious conversion and land transactions. I am working on these as well.”

However, the Chief Minister did not provide details about the proposed legislation governing the purchase and sale of land or specify the circumstances under which government permission would be required.

The proposed legislation is being viewed in the context of similar restrictions in Assam, another BJP-ruled border state. Certain land transactions in Assam are subject to government scrutiny and approval, particularly in cases involving transfers between people belonging to different religious communities.

Under the system cited in the political debate, authorities may examine the source of income of the prospective buyer as well as the possible impact of a land transaction on social harmony in the area.

Odisha also has restrictions governing land transactions involving certain categories of land and communities.

The BJP has repeatedly raised concerns over alleged demographic changes in border areas, linking them to illegal infiltration and land transactions. The party has termed the issue “land jihad”.

Following the Chief Minister’s announcement, questions have arisen over whether West Bengal could introduce legislation similar to the framework followed in Assam.

The possibility has gained attention because of the geographical similarities between West Bengal and Assam as border states and the West Bengal government’s stated interest in adopting measures implemented by other BJP-ruled states.

The government, however, has yet to disclose the detailed provisions, scope or enforcement mechanism of the proposed law. Further clarity is expected once the draft legislation is formally prepared and placed before the state government.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey