Published: April 23, 2026, 23:59 IST – 13 minutes read
A common claim from the Trinamool Congress directed at its primary rival, the Bharatiya Janata Party, warns that a BJP victory in the current elections could lead to bans on consuming fish and meat, key elements of Bengali cuisine. This framing positions the Trinamool as the guardian of Bengali traditions against what it describes as external influences imposed by the BJP, often called outsiders.
The BJP, in response, promotes its version of identity-based politics, emphasizing threats to Hindus in the state due to unauthorized immigration from Bangladesh and what it calls the Trinamool’s favoritism toward minorities. The party’s growth in West Bengal since 2019 has sharpened this divide, pitting the BJP’s chant of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ against the Trinamool’s ‘Jai Bangla’.
While larger themes of Bengali and Hindu identities dominate the political discourse, the needs of various smaller ethnic groups across the state significantly influence results in many constituencies, requiring all parties to account for them in their strategies.
In the 40 assembly seats of Jangalmahal, encompassing the wooded areas of Bankura, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, and Purulia districts, communities like the Kudmi and Adivasis hold key sway. These groups have specific concerns, and internal splits add complexity.
Surja Kanta Murmu, head of the Bharat Jakat Majhi Pargana Mahal, a Santal tribal organization, expresses dissatisfaction with current conditions for Santals.
‘Numerous societal challenges remain unresolved, especially in education. The Santali Education Board is not operating effectively, leading to school closures. Without instruction in our native language, community progress is impossible,’ Murmu stated to Frontline.
He also highlighted disputes over forest rights and traditional practices. ‘Our ritual hunts are criticized for harming forests and animals, yet that’s our tradition. Meanwhile, extensive logging by commercial entities goes unaddressed by authorities,’ Murmu added.
Saridharam and Sarna Dharam
Adivasis make up about 7.5 percent of West Bengal’s population, with roughly 60 percent being Santals. A major demand among tribal groups is official state acknowledgment of their faiths—Saridharam for Santals and Sarna Dharam for others. Subodh Hansda, coordinator of the national Santal organization Saridharam Code Committee, noted that this longstanding request will likely affect Santal voting choices.
Data from the Adivasi Socio Educational and Cultural Association, leading the Saridharam campaign, indicates over 3 million followers in West Bengal, distributed across districts including Bankura, Paschim Medinipur, Purbo Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, Birbhum, Bardhaman, Hooghly, Murshidabad, Malda, and Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur.
‘Saridharam differs completely from Hinduism, and the BJP’s efforts to subsume tribal beliefs under Hindutva are offending tribal communities,’ Hansda told Frontline.
The Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan (ASA), which has led extended and sometimes confrontational protests for Sarna Dharam recognition in states like Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Assam, has stated it will back any party supporting its goals.
Rampada Soren, ASA’s leader in Purulia, said to Frontline: ‘Faith is a major issue. We’ve petitioned state and central governments for Sarna Dharam recognition, and several states have forwarded our requests to the center. But no action has been taken. This is our inherent right. With 5 million followers, we compare to Jains who have 4 million and received recognition, yet we’ve been denied. We’ll support whichever administration grants this.’
Both the ASA and Saridharam Code Committee have criticized the central government for delays.
In 2023, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee approved a resolution in the state assembly recognizing Saridharam and Sarna Dharam as separate from Hinduism. Her party also communicated with the
