Hindus in India, Bengalis in Bengal: the role of religious and regional identities in West Bengal politics

As the Communist and Congress Parties continue their downfall in West Bengal, two parties relying heavily on identity politics are entrenching positions as main political forces of state: Trinamool with its pro-Bengali discourse Bharatiya Janata Party pro-Hindu discourse. Yet, we know little about how mobilization these different regional religious identities interact potentially conflicting manners inform choices, especially among groups individuals who identify both. This paper interrogates relationship between identity, opinions state Bengal. Backing conclusions results a qualitative study investigating multi-ethnic Hindu organizations, this article argues that, although strongly identifying favours endorsement Nationalist ideas, identification to Bengali is stronger determinant one’s vote.