Bangaon, West Bengal | April 27, 2026 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers at Thakurbari, the principal shrine of the Matua Mahasangha, in Thakurnagar, North 24 Parganas district, ahead of addressing a key election rally in Bangaon.
The temple holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for the Matua community, housing the legacy of its founders, Hari Chand Thakur and Guru Chand Thakur. The Matua Mahasangha, a 19th-century socio-religious movement, has historically focused on the upliftment of the Namasudra community through education and social reform.
“Prayed at the Matua Thakur Temple earlier today. The ideals of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur Ji and Sri Sri Guruchand Thakur Ji continue to illuminate our society,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
Strategic Outreach to a Key Electoral Bloc
The visit underscores the Bharatiya Janata Party’s continued outreach to the influential Matua community ahead of the upcoming phase of Assembly elections. The community played a decisive role in the party’s strong performance in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls and remains central to its electoral strategy.
The Matuas are considered a significant voting bloc, directly influencing around 34 Assembly constituencies and impacting several others along the India–Bangladesh border.
Continuity in Engagement
Prime Minister Modi recalled his earlier engagements with the community, including his visit to Thakurnagar in 2019 and a landmark trip to Orakandi in Bangladesh in 2021.
“Meeting the Matua community there and connecting with their faith and traditions was an extraordinary experience. It was the first such visit by an Indian Prime Minister,” he said during his address.
Citizenship Assurance Under CAA
Addressing the rally in Bangaon, the Prime Minister reiterated a key commitment tied to the community’s long-standing demand for citizenship. He assured that eligible members of the Matua Namasudra community would receive citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
The issue remains politically sensitive, as a substantial section of the community comprises migrants from Bangladesh, making citizenship a critical electoral concern.
Voter Roll Revisions Add Complexity
The political landscape in Matua-dominated regions has been further complicated by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Reports indicate that approximately 3.25 lakh names were deleted in North 24 Parganas alone.
In constituencies such as Gaighata and Bagdah, deletion rates among flagged voters ranged between 67% and 88%. Similar patterns were observed in parts of Nadia district, including Krishnanagar North, Krishnanagar South, and Ranaghat, where over 90% of scrutinised names were excluded from final rolls.
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