Cracks in ‘Ma, Mati, Manush’

West Bengal has long been a political hotbed where secularism, populism, and cultural identity collide in high-stakes electoral battles. As the state inches closer to its 2026 Assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee finds herself at the centre of mounting controversies—from violent communal flare-ups in Murshidabad to a damaging teacher recruitment scam—raising difficult questions about her governance and electoral prospects.

The recent violence in Murshidabad, a district with a significant Muslim population, has triggered intense political debate across Bengal and beyond. Sparked by misinformation and community-specific fears over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, the unrest led to arson, looting, and the tragic deaths of three individuals. The protests, largely driven by Muslim groups, quickly spiralled into chaos. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other critics have accused Mamata Banerjee’s administration of failing to act decisively to restore law and order.

More critically, the incident has reignited claims of “minority appeasement”, a phrase often used by the Opposition to suggest that the TMC panders excessively to Muslim communities while ignoring the concerns of Hindus. A sense of alienation among certain Hindu groups—especially in districts with sharply polarised communal demographics—has become more pronounced. The BJP has capitalised on this narrative, portraying Mamata as willing to compromise on law and secular values for electoral gain.

Since coming to power in 2011, Mamata has weathered several controversies. She has been accused—rightly or wrongly—of selective silence during events affecting Hindu groups. From delayed responses to religious conflict to a perceived reluctance to condemn fundamentalist elements, her secular credentials are increasingly being questioned.

To her supporters, Mamata’s politics is not about appeasement but about preserving Bengal’s syncretic culture. West Bengal’s 28-29% Muslim population forms a crucial electoral base, and policies targeting education, welfare, and employment among minorities are seen as corrective rather than preferential.

Yet politics is driven by perception. The Murshidabad violence--whether mishandled or manipulated-- has allowed the opposition to chip away at Mamata’s carefully curated image of “Ma, Mati, Manush”. Particularly the “Ma”, as many women across the state begin to question the safety and stability of their communities.

If communal unrest has cast a shadow over Mamata’s secularism, the teacher recruitment scam has shaken the foundations of her governance model. In April, the Calcutta High Court ordered the invalidation of all 23,123 appointments of teaching and non-teaching staffers, whether tainted or not made through the 2016 State Level Selection Test (SLST), declaring them to be illegal due to widespread irregularities. 

The scam hits at the heart of what Mamata has long championed—welfare and education. The outrage is particularly potent among the youth and the middle class, who once saw her as a bulwark against nepotism and favouritism. Although the TMC has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the verdict, the damage has already been done in the court of public opinion.

Women voters have been among Mamata’s strongest pillars of support. Her government’s schemes—ranging from Kanyashree for girl education to Lakshmir Bhandar, a monthly income scheme for women—have resonated deeply, particularly in rural areas. In the 2021 Assembly elections, this demographic played a pivotal role in her sweeping victory against the BJP. But even the most robust welfare architecture begins to wobble in the face of corruption and communal tension. While many women may still see Mamata as a protector of their interests, trust is beginning to erode in certain pockets.

With less than a year to go before the Assembly polls, Mamata faces a convergence of crises that could reshape Bengal’s political landscape. Communal violence remains a volatile flashpoint in this culturally sensitive state, and when combined with the teacher recruitment scam, it presents a twin challenge—moral and administrative.

Yet it would be premature to write off Mamata or the TMC. Few leaders have displayed the political resilience she has over the years. Her direct connect with the masses, rhetorical strength, and the decentralised strength of the TMC’s organisational machinery still make her a formidable force.

Still, to retain her grip on Bengal, Mamata will have to do more than blame the BJP or the judiciary. She must acknowledge the deep-seated anxieties now bubbling to the surface in both the Hindu and Muslim communities, address corruption head-on, and ensure that the state’s secular character is not compromised for short-term electoral gains.

(The writer is an independent journalist)