BJP chief in West Bengal praises religious sect in search for votes-OxBig News Network

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly and BJP Bengal president Suvendu Adhikari addresses a protest rally following an alleged attack on his convoy, in South 24 Parganas on March 27, 2025.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari visited Thakurnagar, the headquarters of the Matua order during the sect’s annual festival, on Thursday (March 27, 2025). He said that the founding fathers of the order had saved Hindus from being converted to Islam. “Had this sect not been there, crores of people would have changed their religion to Islam,” Mr. Adhikari said.

The Matua sect, comprising Namashudras or Dalits, was set up by Harichand Thakur at Orakandi, Bangladesh, in the mid-19th century and is now headquartered in Thakurnagar, West Bengal.

The BJP leader was attempting to secure the support of the Matua community, who have been supporters of the saffron party. Mr. Adhikari said he prayed to the founders of the order, Harichand Thakur and Guruchand Thakur to save the people of the State from “vote jihad.” The Leader of Opposition also met BJP MP from Bongaon Shantanu Thakur, who is a member of the Matua family.

PM greets community

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted the Matua community on Matua Dharma Maha Mela 2025 and said the event will showcase the Matua community’s glorious culture. “Our Government has undertaken many initiatives for the Matua community’s welfare, and we will keep working tirelessly for their well-being in the times to come,” the Prime Minister said on social media.

BJP MLA Ashim Sarkar, who accompanied the LOP to Thakurnagar, touched the feet of Mamatbala Thakur, a member of the Matua family who is also a former Trinamool Congress MP. Family members of the sect’s founding fathers are divided on political lines, with one faction supporting the BJP and the other the Trinamool Congress.

Later in the day, Suvendu Adhikari held a public meeting at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas. Mr. Adhikari’s convoy was attacked in the area earlier this month. On Thursday (March 27, 2025), the BJP protested at the Baruipur Superintendent of Police’s office and held a public meeting with permission from a court.

Mr. Adhikari addressed the attacks on BJP supporters in West Bengal at a rally. “There is no such thing as democracy here… Every action has a reaction. The world is round, everything will be accounted for,” he said.