West Bengal Chief Minister Says Past State Government Ignored Other Minorities

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated on Sunday that the previous Trinamool Congress government treated only Muslims as a minority group in the state. He made this remark while visiting the Gurdwara Bara Sikh Sangat in the Burrabazar area of Kolkata to join a Sikh community procession. Mr. Adhikari pointed out that Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains are also religious minorities. During his interaction with members of the Sikh community, he described them as the truest patriots. He has previously accused the Mamata Banerjee administration of appeasing the Muslim community to secure votes during elections.

Context

Debates over minority status and political appeasement frequently feature in state politics across India. Leaders often address specific religious communities during public visits to cultural and sacred sites.