Bengal’s Big Decision: Religious Aid Comes to an End

In a major policy shift in West Bengal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari scrapped government assistance to religious groups, which would be effective from June. The Bengal government’s decision comes as a surprise to the public as it was taken by the BJP government, which had come to power in the state for the first time.

Generally, the BJP is identified as a pro-Hindutva party with a leaning towards Hinduism yet the Suvendu Sarkar has decided to discontinue schemes implemented under religious categorization.

The previous Trinamool government, led by TMC president Mamata Banerjee, had announced monthly honorarium for imams, muezzins, and temple priests a year after being voted to power in the state.

Madarsa schemes implemented under the TMC rule were also axed by Suvendu. The CM made it clear that the BJP government would go against schemes of appeasement.

At the same time, the Suvendu Sarkar also laid stress to conduct probe into atrocities against women. The BJP government formed a commission to investigate irregularities in fund distribution during Mamata’s regime.

The focus on women’s safety gains significance in the wake of the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, in addition to allegations of sexual abuse in Sandeshkhali.

The Suvendu Sarkar said that its decision to end honorariums to imams and priests is in alignment with its campaign promise to prioritise “Bhat, not Bhatta” (employment and education over doles). The CM said that the taxpayers’ money should be diverted towards public welfare, education, and economic empowerment than religious causes.

Political analysts said the BJP could be trying to project itself as reform-oriented government that would restructure state finances, to end the alleged ‘corruption’ under Didi’s rule.