The 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign may be over, but West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee once again seized the headlines, this time by taking a bold and controversial stance against a section of Hindu monks. The timing and nature of her comments have stirred the political cauldron of the state, inviting a wave of reactions from various political parties and organisations. This move, unprecedented in her political journey, signals a shift towards a more overtly minority-centric approach, a strategy that comes with its own set of risks and implications.
The controversy erupted when Banerjee, addressing a rally in Hooghly district, vociferously criticised certain monks, accusing them of being politically influenced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Among those targeted were three highly respected religious organisations: the Ramakrishna Mission (RKM), the Bharat Sevashram Sangh (BSS), and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). These organisations are not only venerated in West Bengal but also have a significant following beyond the state’s borders.
The chief minister’s comments were unexpected, even catching leaders within her own Trinamool Congress (TMC) off guard. With elections for over half of Bengal’s 42 Lok Sabha seats now concluded, her remarks had sparked speculation about the TMC’s election strategy, which was initially thought to focus on non-religious issues to counter the BJP’s efforts at religious polarisation.
Banerjee’s remarks have been interpreted as an attempt to consolidate her Muslim voter base by distancing herself from Hindu religious figures perceived to be aligned with the BJP. This strategy is viewed by critics as a manoeuvre to counter the BJP’s Hindu nationalist narrative and prevent the saffron party from making inroads into West Bengal’s substantial Muslim electorate. Approximately 30 per cent of the state’s population is Muslim, making them a crucial demographic in the recent elections.
However, this tactic raises significant questions about the long-term implications for the social and political fabric of the state. While it remains to be seen how effective Banerjee’s strategy was in securing electoral gains in the 2024 elections, her apparent attempt to rally the Muslim vote at the expense of potentially alienating Hindu voters could exacerbate communal tensions and fracture the secular vote bank that has traditionally been the cornerstone of the TMC’s support.
Critics argue that Banerjee’s remarks reflect a sense of desperation, a reaction to the BJP’s growing influence in regions like Tamluk, where the Hindu vote is substantial. The timing of her comments, made just before elections in constituencies with a significant Muslim population, suggests a calculated attempt to prevent any division of the Muslim vote, particularly away from the Congress-CPIM alliance. Whether this approach paid off electorally remains to be seen, but it is not without risks. Alienating the Hindu majority, which constitutes the rest of the state’s demographic, could backfire, resulting in a loss of support from a crucial voter base.
The delicate balancing act between appealing to minority sentiments and not antagonising the majority is a tightrope that Banerjee must navigate carefully. Her political gambit underscores the increasing polarisation in Indian politics, where religion and identity are becoming central to electoral strategies. The focus on minority appeasement politics is a double-edged sword. While it may secure immediate electoral gains, it could also lead to a more divided society, with increased communal tensions and a fractured political landscape.
Furthermore, Banerjee’s targeting of Hindu monks, who are revered figures within the community, could be perceived as an attack on Hinduism itself rather than a critique of the alleged politicisation of religious institutions. This perception could alienate moderate Hindus, who might view her actions as an affront to their faith. It remains to be seen whether Banerjee’s political strategy, which required a delicate balancing act to avoid alienating potential supporters while consolidating her core base, will ultimately prove successful.
In response to the backlash, Mamata Banerjee clarified that her issue is not with Hindu spiritual-philanthropic organisations as a whole but with specific individuals within these groups. She singled out Kartik Maharaj, the secretary of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha’s ashram in Murshidabad’s Aurangabad, accusing him of bias towards the BJP. This clarification, however, may not be enough to quell the discontent brewing among the broader Hindu community.
Banerjee’s strategy in the lead-up to the 2024 election may have been a response to the immediate threat posed by the BJP, but it also reflects a broader trend in Indian politics, where parties increasingly resort to identity politics to galvanise support. This trend, while effective in the short term, can have long-lasting repercussions on the social cohesion and political stability of the state.
The BJP, quick to capitalise on Banerjee’s remarks, accused her of playing divisive politics. BJP leaders argued that her comments were an attempt to deflect attention from the TMC’s governance failures and shift the narrative towards communal issues. The BJP’s response underscores the high stakes of the ongoing elections, where both parties are vying for dominance in a state that has historically been a bastion of secular politics.
Banerjee has built her political career on a platform of inclusive governance and development. Her recent actions, however, suggest a departure from this ethos as she seeks to secure her party’s position in a highly polarised political environment. The challenge for Banerjee and the TMC going forward will be to navigate these treacherous waters without compromising the inclusive principles that have been the hallmark of their governance.
The broader implications of Banerjee’s strategy extend beyond the immediate electoral context. Her approach reflects the increasing importance of identity politics in Indian elections, where parties are willing to exploit religious and communal divisions to secure votes. This trend, while politically expedient, poses a significant threat to the secular fabric of the nation.
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal are poised to be a litmus test for Mamata Banerjee’s leadership and the TMC’s political strategy. The outcome will not only determine the political future of the state but also set a precedent for the role of identity politics in India’s democratic process.
In conclusion, Mamata Banerjee’s direct criticism of a section of Hindu monks was a bold and controversial move that underscored the high stakes of the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign. Whether this strategy, seemingly aimed at consolidating the Muslim vote, will yield electoral dividends remains to be seen. Regardless of the outcome, however, it reflects the increasing polarisation in Indian politics and the growing importance of identity politics in electoral strategies. The challenge for Banerjee and the TMC, as they await the election results, will be to navigate these complexities without compromising the inclusive ethos that has defined their governance. The road ahead is fraught with challenges, and the election outcome will be a crucial determinant of both the state’s political future and the long-term impact of Banerjee’s strategic choices.
The author, a columnist and research scholar, teaches journalism at St. Xavier’s College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.