Caste, religion and electoral politics: How West Bengal’s fish-vegetarianism divide exposes structural exclusion in India’s democracy

Indigenous and Dalit communities in West Bengal have long faced systemic exclusion from food systems, with fish—a protein-rich staple—often inaccessible due to caste-based economic barriers. Traditional fishing practices among Adivasi communities, such as the Lodha and Santhal, are marginalized in favor of industrial aquaculture controlled by upper castes, reinforcing historical inequities. The current political focus on fish and vegetarianism ignores how these communities’ food sovereignty is being eroded by state policies favoring corporate agriculture and aquaculture.

The fish-vegetarianism divide in West Bengal echoes colonial-era caste hierarchies, where vegetarianism became a marker of 'high' Hindu culture, while fish consumption was associated with 'lower' castes and tribal groups. Post-independence, political parties have repeatedly mobilized food identities—such as the 1960s 'Bangla' vs. 'Bihari' debates—to consolidate vote banks, a pattern now amplified by the BJP’s Hindutva agenda. The current election cycle mirrors historical trends where food politics are used to distract from economic failures and consolidate power.

In Pakistan, fish is similarly tied to regional identity, but its consumption is less politicized due to the absence of a strong electoral focus on food taboos. In Bangladesh, the majority-Muslim population’s fish consumption is normalized, though economic disparities still limit access for poorer communities. In Malaysia, pork consumption has been a flashpoint in multiethnic politics, particularly between Malay Muslims and Chinese minorities, revealing how food taboos can fuel communal tensions. These examples show how food identities become politicized in societies with deep ethnic or religious divisions.

Nutritional science underscores the importance of fish as a protein and omega-3 source, particularly for vulnerable populations in West Bengal, where malnutrition rates remain high. Studies show that caste-based economic barriers to fish consumption contribute to higher rates of anemia and protein deficiency among Dalit and Adivasi communities. The political framing of fish as a 'Bengali' identity ignores these health disparities, instead using food as a tool for electoral mobilization rather than addressing systemic inequities.

Bengali literature and cinema have long celebrated fish as a symbol of community and resistance, from Rabindranath Tagore’s poems to Ritwik Ghatak’s films. However, the spiritual dimension of food—such as the role of vegetarianism in Hindu ascetic traditions—is often co-opted for political ends, reducing complex cultural practices to simplistic electoral slogans. The current debate strips food of its spiritual and artistic significance, reducing it to a tool for political polarization.

If current trends continue, West Bengal’s food politics could escalate into broader communal tensions, particularly as the BJP seeks to expand its base by framing vegetarianism as a Hindu virtue. Future electoral cycles may see increased polarization around food identities, with marginalized communities bearing the brunt of economic and social exclusion. Scenario planning suggests that without addressing structural inequalities, food-based politics will remain a tool for distraction rather than a pathway to inclusive governance.

Dalit, Adivasi, and Muslim communities in West Bengal are systematically excluded from the fish-vegetarianism debate, despite being the most affected by food insecurity. Their voices are absent in mainstream media, which frames the issue as a cultural conflict rather than a structural one. Political parties prioritize upper-caste Hindu and Muslim elite interests, while marginalized groups are left to navigate economic barriers to food access on their own.