West Bengal’s Trinamool Congress General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, stirred controversy with his recent visit to Thakurnagar, the cultural hub of the Matua community. This visit has highlighted the significant role of the Matuas in influencing political outcomes, especially with the upcoming Assembly elections in early 2026.
During his brief stay, Abhishek criticized the BJP for not fulfilling its promise of granting citizenship to the Matua community under the amended Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). He also emphasized his party’s efforts in the development of Thakurnagar, triggering a response from BJP MP and Matua Leader, Shantanu Thakur.
Following Abhishek’s visit, Shantanu Thakur conducted a purification ritual at the temple, alleging that Abhishek’s presence had desecrated the sanctity of the shrine. This exchange escalated as Abhishek challenged the BJP to present a “report card” of their contributions to the community, to which Thakur defended Prime Minister Modi’s efforts for the Matuas.
The Matua community, a significant Scheduled Caste group in West Bengal, holds substantial electoral influence across various districts in the state. Originating from movements in the 19th–20th century and including migrants from Bangladesh, the Matuas play a pivotal role in state politics due to their size and cohesive presence.
