PART 2 (~2300+ words)(Continuation from Part 1)SECTION 6: BENGALI POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY & RELIGIOUS COEXISTENCETo understand why the three leaders succeeded, we must understand what religion means to the Bengali political mind.In many regions of India, religion is a dominant axis of political identity.But in West Bengal, religion is a cultural value first, a political tool second.Religion here has historically coexisted
PART 2 (~2300+ words) (Continuation from Part 1) SECTION 6: BENGALI POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY & RELIGIOUS COEXISTENCE To understand why the three leaders succeeded, we must understand what religion means to the Bengali political mind. In many regions of India, religion is a dominant axis of political identity. But in West Bengal, religion is a cultural value first, a political tool second. Religion here has historically coexisted with: science, literature, theatre, rationalism, poetry, revolutionary ideals. Faith and philosophy walk hand in hand in Bengal. It is not unusual for a Bengali to: pray in a temple, read Marxist literature, admire Rabindranath Tagore, defend scientific temperament, and still celebrate Durga Puja or Eid with friends. This pluralistic identity shapes politics. How This Reflects on Voting Behaviour When a Bengali voter evaluates a leader’s relationship with religion, they subconsciously ask: “Is your religion a home or is it a weapon?” A home is ...