The Complex Politics of Matua Votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls
The Matuas of Bengal are once again under the national microscope as the 18th Lok Sabha polls approach. The upcoming elections have brought the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, and the Matuas’ status as a vital vote bank into sharp focus.
Citizenship Conundrum
Citizenship has been a central issue in Matua politics for many years. The Matuas have historically faced bureaucratic hurdles, police questioning, and even arrests due to the lack of adequate documentation. Their demand for unconditional citizenship in India has been a rallying point for their political mobilization.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) of 2019 partially addressed their demands by revising the cut-off date for Indian entry and reducing the naturalization period for migrants belonging to six religions from three specific countries. The BJP hoped this would dispel the suspicion surrounding the Matuas’ citizenship status, and the community largely supported the legislation.
However, the recent notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules has introduced confusion and fear within the community. Many are concerned about the application procedure, the required documents, and the possibility of disenfranchisement during the process. While BJP leaders assure voters that identity cards issued by the Matua Mahasangha or local Matua organizations will suffice as proof of documentation, the TMC and other political parties claim that applying for citizenship under these rules could render existing citizens as non-citizens.
The uncertainty surrounding the citizenship issue has cast doubt on the BJP’s ability to secure Matua votes as expected.
Communal Polarization
The politics of citizenship is also intertwined with communal polarization. In Indian politics, migrants are often categorized as either infiltrators or refugees based on their religious identities. The BJP has strategically used this distinction to create social antagonisms and mobilize Hindu votes, a strategy that has also been employed to mobilize Matuas.
A recent example of this is a purported threat letter sent by the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba to Shantanu Thakur, the BJP’s Matua candidate from the Bongaon constituency. The letter threatened to destroy the headquarters of the Matua Mahasangha if a National Register of Citizens is prepared. This allegation, combined with Thakur’s religious reverence, has further fueled communal tensions.
Furthermore, the CAA has played a significant role in shaping the political landscape. The law has led members of the anti-caste Matua community to identify themselves as Hindus out of practical considerations, creating a divide between them and the Muslim community.
Political Deification
A vital aspect of Matua politics is the political deification of icons like Harichand and Guruchand Thakur. Their names, images, life histories, and teachings are strategically used by political leaders to appeal to Matua voters.
Matua leader Mamata Bala Thakur has alleged that she was prevented from taking oath as a Member of Parliament in the name of Harichand Thakur, which she sees as an insult to the Matua community. Similarly, Matuas demanded an apology from TMC chief Mamata Banerjee for mispronouncing the names of Harichand and Guruchand last year.
Political leaders now view the deification of Matua icons as crucial for their electoral success, using their images and community symbols as campaign tools.
Factionalism within the Thakur Family
The factionalism within the Thakur family, the heirs of Harichand who hold supreme religious authority, has also reshaped Matua politics. The conflict between the two factions over control of the Matua Mahasangha and its properties has taken on a political dimension.
The BJP-backed faction led by Shantanu Thakur is increasingly aligning the Matua identity with Hindutva politics, merging the slogan “Joy Hari bol” with “Jai Shree Ram.” The TMC faction, headed by Mamata Bala Thakur, seeks to maintain the Matua identitarian interests to sustain the party’s hold over the organization.
Close ties with the Thakurs allow political parties to reach out to Matua voters. The BJP has used Shantanu Thakur as a campaigner in Matua-populated constituencies beyond West Bengal, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The family feud, exploited by the parties, has also given rise to non-dynastic Matua leaders. The outcome of this evolving political landscape will depend on how the “go-slow” mood among Matua voters unfolds on election day.
