With the West Bengal Assembly election approaching, identity politics has once again taken centre stage across the State. From the Kudmi community’s long-standing demand for ST status in Jangalmahal, to Adivasi calls for recognition of Sarna Dharam, and the Matua community’s concerns over citizenship under the CAA, competing claims of identity are shaping electoral narratives on the ground.
In regions such as Purulia, Jhargram, Lalgarh, and Thakurnagar, communities are asserting their political significance while raising concerns over recognition, development, and representation. While the BJP and Trinamool Congress battle over questions of citizenship and cultural identity, this ground report examines how belonging, governance, and political mobilisation intersect in West Bengal and what it could mean for the upcoming election.