The Return of Religious Identity in the Politics of East and West Bengal

May 11, 2026, 14:50
AsiaPolitics

Introduction

The Bengal region, which includes parts of India and Bangladesh, is moving away from its secular traditions and toward political systems based on religious identity.

Main Body

Currently, religious nationalism is growing on both sides of the border. In Bangladesh, recent elections showed a rise in Islamist influence, with the Jamaat-e-Islami party winning nearly one-third of the vote. At the same time, in India's West Bengal state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) significantly increased its support, growing from 10% in 2016 to nearly 46% and winning 207 of the 294 assembly seats. Some experts believe these changes are linked to old colonial strategies. In 1905, British authorities divided Bengal along religious lines to weaken anti-colonial unity. Although this was reversed in 1911, the divisions became permanent during the partition of 1947. Furthermore, while Bangladesh first gained independence in 1971 based on a shared language and secularism, later changes to the constitution added an Islamic identity, which encouraged a shift toward religious politics. However, some analysts emphasize that these electoral changes are caused by general unhappiness with the government rather than just religious beliefs. For example, the BJP's success in West Bengal may be a rejection of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) administration. Similarly, the 2024 youth protests in Bangladesh were caused by corruption and a lack of democracy. Additionally, previous governments tried to please religious groups by building sites or changing school books, but this may have accidentally strengthened hardline movements and weakened the region's shared cultural identity.

Conclusion

The region is currently seeing a decline in secular and linguistic identity as polarized religious affiliations become more dominant.

Learning

πŸ’‘ The "Connector Jump"

To move from A2 to B2, you must stop using simple sentences like "It happened. Then this happened." You need Logical Bridges. This article is a goldmine for this.

πŸŒ‰ Transitioning from 'And' to 'Academic Flow'

Look at how the text connects ideas. Instead of just listing facts, it uses specific words to show how ideas relate:

  • Adding Information (Beyond 'And'): The author uses Furthermore and Additionally.

    • A2 Style: "They changed the laws and they built sites."
    • B2 Style: "They changed the laws; furthermore, they built religious sites."

  • Showing Contrast (Beyond 'But'): The text uses However. This is the 'professional' version of 'but' used at the start of a sentence to pivot the argument.

    • A2 Style: "But some people disagree."
    • B2 Style: "However, some analysts emphasize a different cause."

πŸ› οΈ Practical Application: The "Cause-Effect" Chain

B2 students describe processes. Notice the phrase linked to.

"...these changes are linked to old colonial strategies."

Instead of saying "This happened because of that," try using [X] is linked to [Y]. It sounds more objective and analytical.

Try swapping these in your mind:

  • Instead of: "The protests happened because of corruption."
  • Try: "The protests were linked to general unhappiness and corruption."

⚠️ Vocabulary Upgrade: The "Power Verbs"

Stop using 'get' or 'make'. Use these precise verbs found in the text:

  1. Dominant (Instead of 'strong' or 'big') β†’\rightarrow Religious affiliations became more dominant.
  2. Rejection (Instead of 'saying no') β†’\rightarrow A rejection of the administration.
  3. Strengthened (Instead of 'made better/stronger') β†’\rightarrow Strengthened hardline movements.

Vocabulary Learning

secular
Not religious; relating to society or state that is separate from religious institutions.
Example:The Bengal region is moving away from its secular traditions.
nationalism
A strong identification with and support for one's nation, often at the expense of other identities.
Example:Religious nationalism is growing on both sides of the border.
Islamist
Relating to the ideology that seeks to establish Islamic principles in government and society.
Example:Recent elections showed a rise in Islamist influence.
influence
The power to affect the actions, thoughts, or feelings of someone or something.
Example:The Jamaat-e-Islami party showed a rise in Islamist influence.
assembly
A legislative body or group of representatives that make laws.
Example:The BJP won 207 of the 294 assembly seats.
experts
People who have deep knowledge or skill in a particular area.
Example:Some experts believe these changes are linked to old colonial strategies.
strategies
Planned actions or methods used to achieve a goal.
Example:These changes are linked to old colonial strategies.
colonial
Relating to a colony or the period of colonial rule.
Example:British authorities divided Bengal along religious lines to weaken anti-colonial unity.
partition
The act of dividing a country or territory into separate parts.
Example:The divisions became permanent during the partition of 1947.
independence
The state of being free from external control or influence.
Example:Bangladesh first gained independence in 1971.
constitutions
Written laws that outline the structure and principles of a government.
Example:Later changes to the constitution added an Islamic identity.
encouraged
Supported or motivated someone to do something.
Example:The constitution added an Islamic identity, which encouraged a shift toward religious politics.
shift
A change in direction, position, or focus.
Example:The shift toward religious politics was encouraged by constitutional changes.
unhappiness
The state of being unhappy or dissatisfied.
Example:Electoral changes are caused by general unhappiness with the government.
protests
Public demonstrations expressing objection or dissatisfaction.
Example:The 2024 youth protests in Bangladesh were caused by corruption.
corruption
Dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power.
Example:The protests were caused by corruption and a lack of democracy.
democracy
A system of government where power is held by the people, typically through elected representatives.
Example:A lack of democracy was a cause of the protests.
pleasing
Giving satisfaction or delight to someone.
Example:Previous governments tried to please religious groups.
accidentally
By chance, unintentionally.
Example:This may have accidentally strengthened hardline movements.
strengthened
Made stronger or more powerful.
Example:The policy may have accidentally strengthened hardline movements.
weakened
Made less strong or less effective.
Example:It weakened the region's shared cultural identity.
cultural
Relating to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a society.
Example:The region's shared cultural identity was weakened.
decline
A gradual loss or reduction in strength or importance.
Example:The region is seeing a decline in secular identity.
polarized
Divided into opposing groups or viewpoints.
Example:Religious affiliations become more polarized.