In India’s eastern state of West Bengal, election campaigning has taken an unusual turn, with politicians brandishing fish as they canvass for votes — a move that reflects deeper cultural and political messaging.
In Kolkata, Koustav Bagchi, a candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party, has been going door-to-door holding a fish, accompanied by drums and chanting supporters. Rather than delivering policy-heavy speeches, he is relying on symbolism to connect with voters in a state where fish is central to daily life.
A similar strategy is being used by fellow BJP candidate Rakesh Singh, who has been seen lifting fish during campaign appearances as he challenges Kolkata’s mayor Firhad Hakim in a high-profile contest.
In West Bengal, fish is more than just food — it is deeply tied to identity, tradition and culture. That cultural importance has now been drawn into the political arena, as parties seek to reassure voters amid a heated campaign.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress, has accused the BJP of threatening Bengal’s way of life. She has warned voters that the party could impose restrictions on eating fish, meat and eggs — claims the BJP strongly denies.
“Bengal lives on fish and rice,” Banerjee said at a recent rally, framing food habits as a core cultural issue.
The BJP has rejected these allegations, with senior leader Smriti Irani calling them “a lie” and insisting that Bengal’s food traditions would remain untouched. Party figures have instead accused the ruling government of using the issue to divert attention from corruption allegations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also weighed in, using fish as a political talking point from a different angle. A vegetarian himself, Modi criticised the state government for failing to make Bengal self-sufficient in fish production, claiming the state still depends on imports.
Banerjee quickly pushed back, saying most of the state’s fish demand is met locally and accusing BJP-led states of restricting non-vegetarian food practices.
The debate highlights how food habits in India can carry strong political overtones. While the BJP is sometimes associated with promoting vegetarian norms in certain regions, West Bengal has a deeply rooted non-vegetarian culture where fish is a staple across communities.
According to studies, a majority of people in West Bengal consume fish regularly, making it one of the most fish-dependent regions in the country. The food also carries layers of meaning tied to geography, history and even social identity.
Experts say this symbolic weight has made fish an effective political tool. Campaigns are not just about policy or governance, but also about cultural reassurance and identity.
The symbolism extends beyond politics into literature and social life. Bengali writers like Manik Bandopadhyay and Amitav Ghosh have long used fish as a motif in their works, reflecting its importance in the region’s cultural imagination.
As campaigning intensifies ahead of the state election, fish has emerged as an unlikely yet powerful emblem — representing not just a dietary preference, but a broader contest over identity, culture and political narrative.
While it may not ultimately decide the election outcome, the prominence of fish in campaign imagery underscores how deeply culture and politics are intertwined in West Bengal.