Big Bengal Policy U-Turn: Suvendu Govt Scraps Mamata-Era Imam, Temple Priest Allowances
Big Bengal Policy U-Turn: Suvendu Govt Scraps Mamata-Era Imam, Temple Priest Allowances Published By, Last Updated: May 19, 2026, 10:15 IST From stopping namaz on
Big Bengal Policy U-Turn: Suvendu Govt Scraps Mamata-Era Imam, Temple Priest Allowances Published By, Last Updated: May 19, 2026, 10:15 IST From stopping namaz on open roads to ending government assistance based on religious categories, the new BJP govt in Bengal has announced a series of major policy changes. Suvendu Adhikari Govt Unveils Massive Policy Shift in Bengal. The new BJP government in West Bengal, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has begun rolling back several policies introduced during the previous Trinamool Congress administration headed by Mamata Banerjee. Soon after taking office earlier this month, the CM Adhikari government drew clear lines against what it described as appeasement politics followed under the earlier regime. From stopping namaz on open roads to ending government assistance based on religious categories, the new administration has announced a series of major policy changes during its first cabinet meeting. Religious-based assistance to end One of the biggest decisions taken by the state cabinet was the discontinuation of government assistance schemes based on religious categorisation. State minister Agnimitra Paul said schemes being run under the departments of Information and Cultural Affairs and Minority Affairs and Madrasa Education would continue only till the end of this month.
She said the schemes would stop from June and separate notifications would be issued regarding the decision. The state government has maintained that welfare programmes should not be distributed on the basis of religious identity. The move marks a major policy reversal from the previous Trinamool Congress government. OBC list to be scrapped The cabinet also decided to scrap the existing list of Other Backward Classes in the state following an order from the Calcutta High Court. According to Agnimitra Paul, a new panel will be formed to determine quota eligibility in the future. The state government has not yet announced when the new panel will begin functioning. Imam and priest allowances to end The earlier Trinamool Congress government had introduced financial assistance schemes for religious leaders after coming to power in the state. The first such programme was launched in 2012 for imams across West Bengal. Under the scheme, registered imams received a monthly honorarium of Rs 2,500. The government said the move was aimed at supporting religious leaders from economically weaker backgrounds. Soon afterwards, the same kind of financial support was extended to muezzins, who call worshippers to prayer at mosques.
The funds for both schemes were distributed through the minority welfare department. In 2020, the then state government introduced a similar scheme for Hindu priests, or purohits. The move was widely seen as an attempt to counter criticism that only Muslim religious leaders were receiving state support. Under the programme, registered purohits initially received around Rs 1,000 per month. Ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, the amount was increased to Rs 2,000. The Suvendu government has now decided to discontinue these schemes from June. Commission formed to probe irregularities The Bengal government has also announced a commission to investigate alleged irregularities in fund distribution during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led administration. According to the government, the commission will examine allegations of institutional corruption. The inquiry will function under the supervision of retired justice Biswajit Das. Panel to investigate atrocities against women After the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari told reporters that a separate committee had been formed to investigate cases related to atrocities against women across the state. He said the panel would function under the leadership of retired justice Samapti Chatterjee.
IPS officer Damyanti Sen, who had handled the Park Street rape case initially, has been appointed as the member secretary of the committee. CM Adhikari said all cases related to crimes and atrocities against women across West Bengal would be investigated by the panel. The Bengal CM added that the government expects the committee to submit its report within one month. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Kolkata [Calcutta], India, India First Published: May 19, 2026, 10:15 IST News india Big Bengal Policy U-Turn: Suvendu Govt Scraps Mamata-Era Imam, Temple Priest Allowances Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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