Although Muslims constitute nearly 27% of West Bengal’s population, according to the 2011 census, their voices are still largely absent from policy-making spaces.
Election process in West Bengal is fast approaching, amid an ocean of uncertainty as to who will ultimately be able to cast their vote. The Electoral Commission (EC) put almost 60 million citizens on trial in its final list. While the supplementary list has been published, the fate of 27 million voters remains uncertain. The entire SIR exercise created chaos both in the administration and among the citizens and sidelined the issue of human development and social justice.
As most political parties have announced their candidates, it is worth assessing their social group and gender composition. These candidate lists offer an important lens through which to assess the degree of commitment to India’s pluralistic social fabric. But what about the current makeup of the state legislature? By conducting a critical appraisal of the composition of the 17th Legislative Assembly of West Bengal, the objective is to assess the representation of various social groups in the highest policy-making body of the state. As state governments bear most of the responsibility for designing, adapting and effectively implementing social policies, the composition of the assembly is crucial. Having representatives from different social groups ensures that policy priorities address the needs of everyone in society.
Published – 22 Apr 2026 07:00 IST
