In contemporary Bengal, one of the most important trends is to strategize for converting a multicultural society to a monolithic pattern. The incident of Rejinagar Shariyati violence is a continued and well-planned strategy of Political Islam to destroy and occupy Sufi centers. The philosophy of single brand always attacks multiculturalism in different religiosity. The rise of Hindutva forces doing the same in different parts of India by imposing single brand of faith.
Baul Fakir Sangha Reginagar Pirpanthi Khanqah Sharif Darbars Ursh festival Shariyati Violence Shariyati Islamist Bartaman Panthi Qadiriya Tariqua Jumma Raat mehfils secularism polarization Administrative ignorance Freedom of women
Read moreThis article explores ethnographically the manufacturing of religious polarisation and violence in West Bengal, India. Since 2014, India has experienced a rise in religion-based identity conflict. Although West Bengal experienced riots during the partition of India, it remained unaffected during the subsequent three decades of Left rule. More recently, however, secular democratic forces have been marginalised and riot-like conflicts have emerged. We argue that identity consolidation in West Bengal is part of an increasing trend of religious polarisation in the country.
religious polarisation identity politics riots secularism West Bengal
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