In a move that has drawn both attention and criticism, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared an increment of Rs 500 in the monthly allowances of Muslim clerics and Hindu priests. This decision, seen by some as an attempt to sway minority votes, was met with skepticism from opposition parties. The BJP and the CPI(M) branded the announcement as a "cheap poll gimmick," highlighting the intricate interplay of politics in the lead-up to the elections.

During a conference of imams and muezzins held at Kolkata's Netaji Indoor Stadium, Chief Minister Banerjee made a significant announcement. She declared an increase of Rs 500 in the monthly allowance provided to Muslim imams and Hindu priests. This announcement was delivered in a gathering that held notable implications for religious leaders and their respective communities.

"People have maligned me for my beliefs. When I attend Iftar during Ramzan, my photographs are ridiculed. BJP had even attempted to change my name. However, I don't care about it because it is my duty to see that people of different religions don't fight with one another," she said.

Pointing a finger at the BJP for consistently highlighting the matter whenever she engages in events involving minority communities, Banerjee affirmed her commitment to serving all segments of society throughout her lifetime.

"Whenever I attend any programme of the minorities, I am accused of appeasing the minorities. I believe in love and respect for all. We have decided to hike the ongoing allowance of Imams and Muzzaeims and Hindu priests by Rs 500," she said.

Frequently criticized for pursuing a strategy of appeasement to attract the state's thirty percent minority electorate, Banerjee stated that the TMC government is committed to a stance devoid of discrimination.

"We don't do any discrimination; BJP does. They let go of convicts in the Bilkis Bano case. Everyone is witnessing the atrocities on minorities and tribals...We have given recognition to 307 unaided madrasas; 700 more will be recognized this year," she said.

Since 2012, Muslim clerics, known as imams, have been receiving a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500, while muezzins have been granted a stipend of Rs 1,000. The TMC government introduced this monthly honorarium for imams and muezzins in the state shortly after assuming power in 2012.

Following the court's dismissal of the West Bengal government's initially announced allowance for Imams and Muezzins on grounds of unconstitutionality and public interest, the state administration subsequently directed the allowance distribution through the Wakf Board of West Bengal.

In the lead-up to the 2021 assembly elections and amid the BJP's accusations of minority appeasement, the TMC government took a significant step in 2020. They unveiled plans to provide monthly financial support of Rs 1,000 and offer free housing to more than 8,000 priests in the state.

Banerjee's announcement drew criticism from the BJP and the CPI (M) as they accused her of employing welfare-based politics to secure votes.

"Are Hindu priests at the mercy of Mamata Banerjee? The announcement aims to buy minority votes in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. We condemn such politics," BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said.

According to CPI (M) leader Shamik Lahiri, the announcement has the objective of exacerbating the communal division within the state.

"The TMC wants to flare up communal issues to help BJP gain ground as such divisive policies and politics only help the BJP. The TMC has done it with an eye on Lok Sabha polls," he said.

Image source: TOI