The Matua electoral roll dispute has once again exposed the fragile balance between community identity and political rivalry in Bengal. On December 24, 2025, at least four devotees were injured in violent clashes between rival factions of the All India Matua Mahasangha at Thakurnagar, the spiritual headquarters of the Matua community in North 24‑Parganas. The confrontation stemmed from remarks by Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur, who suggested that nearly one lakh Matua voters might be excluded from the electoral roll during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
2. Incident Details
- Location: Thakurbari premises, Thakurnagar, Bongaon subdivision.
- Rival factions: One led by Shantanu Thakur (BJP), another by his aunt Mamatabala Thakur (TMC Rajya Sabha MP).
- Trigger: Shantanu’s statement that one lakh Matua names could be excluded to ensure exclusion of 50 lakh “illegal” voters from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar.
- Mobilization: Around 100 persons, allegedly organized by Mamatabala’s aide Sukhen Chowdhury, marched to Shantanu’s residence seeking clarification.
- Violence: Shantanu’s aides allegedly stopped them, leading to punching, slapping, and kicking of devotees.
- Police: Present outside but did not intervene without administrative orders.
3. Matua Electoral Roll Dispute: Political Fallout
- Mamatabala Thakur (TMC): Accused Shantanu of sheltering criminals and orchestrating attacks on innocent devotees. Claimed BJP betrayed the Matua community by encouraging citizenship applications but later “snatching away” voting rights.
- Shantanu Thakur (BJP): Denied allegations, accused Mamatabala of sending hooligans disguised as devotees. Stated: “They should be asking the Election Commission, not me. Am I excluding them, or is the commission?”
- Community sentiment: Deep divisions between BJP‑aligned and TMC‑aligned factions, with ordinary devotees caught in the crossfire.
4. Governance Challenges
The feud reflects:
- Electoral roll transparency issues during SIR.
- Community vulnerability when political parties exploit identity for votes.
- Weak law enforcement as police refrained from intervening.
- Trust deficit between community leaders and state institutions.
5. Government External Links for Assistance
- Election Commission of India: https://eci.gov.in
- West Bengal Police: https://wbpolice.gov.in
- Government of West Bengal: https://wb.gov.in
- Ministry of Home Affairs: https://mha.gov.in
6. Historical Context of Matua Politics
- The Matua community, originally refugees from Bangladesh, has been a decisive vote bank in Bengal.
- 2019 Lok Sabha elections: BJP gained support by promising citizenship rights under the CAA.
- 2021 Assembly elections: TMC countered with welfare schemes and promises of inclusion.
- 2025 SIR exercise: Sparked fears of disenfranchisement, leading to factional clashes.
- Past disputes show how citizenship and voting rights remain central to Matua identity politics.
7. Community Impact
- Ordinary devotees expressed fear and confusion over their voting rights.
- Families worry about exclusion from rolls despite filing citizenship applications.
- Women and elderly devotees were reportedly assaulted, deepening resentment.
- The incident has eroded trust in both BJP and TMC leadership.
8. Global Comparisons
Similar disputes occur worldwide:
- Rohingyas in Myanmar: Citizenship denial leading to disenfranchisement.
- Palestinian refugees: Electoral exclusion in host countries.
- Dominican Republic: Haitian‑origin citizens face voter roll disputes.
The Matua case mirrors these global struggles where refugee‑origin communities face contested identities and political exploitation.
9. Governance Lessons
The Thakurnagar clash teaches:
- Electoral roll revisions must be transparent and inclusive.
- Community dialogue platforms can reduce factionalism.
- Law enforcement neutrality is vital to prevent violence.
- Political parties must avoid exploiting refugee identities for votes.
10. Future Outlook – Democracy in Bengal
India must move towards:
- Digitized voter verification linked to Aadhaar.
- Special provisions for refugee‑origin communities like Matuas.
- Awareness campaigns to guide citizens through SIR hearings.
- Judicial oversight to prevent arbitrary exclusions.
11. Conclusion
The Matua electoral roll dispute and the Thakurnagar factional clash underscore the fragility of democracy when identity politics collides with governance. While four devotees were injured, the larger wound is to community trust and democratic credibility. For Bengal, the challenge is to ensure that every eligible voter is included, every community is respected, and political rivalry does not tear apart social harmony.
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