KOLKATA: In a swift move just an hour before the Election Commission announced the 2026 Assembly election schedule for West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared a monthly remuneration hike for religious heads across the state. The honorarium for both Purohits (Hindu priests) and Muezzins (Islamic prayer callers) has been increased by Rs 500, bringing their total monthly allowance to Rs 2,000.
The Chief Minister announced the revision via social media, stating that the decision aims to support those who sustain the “spiritual and social life” of local communities. In addition to the pay raise, the state government has approved all pending applications for these stipends. Banerjee emphasized that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government takes pride in nurturing an environment where every tradition is valued and receives the recognition it deserves.
This announcement follows a high-decibel political weekend in Bengal, characterized by sharp exchanges between the TMC and the BJP. A day prior, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the state administration of practicing “appeasement politics” and failing to protect the interests of the majority community. Simultaneously, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a rally in the state, criticized the TMC for allegedly patronizing illegal immigrants and promised a crackdown on infiltration if the BJP is voted to power.
Political analysts view the timing of the hike as a strategic effort to consolidate support across communal lines and counter the opposition’s narrative of biased governance. By extending the benefit to both Hindu and Muslim religious practitioners simultaneously, the TMC aims to reinforce its platform of inclusive development and “Sarva Dharma Sambhava” ahead of what is expected to be a highly polarized electoral battle.
