The Battle Over Citizenship: Examining the 'Ghuspaithiya' Controversy in West Bengal's Electoral Politics

Nov 07, 2025 09:11 pm CST

This analysis examines West Bengal's controversial Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the political battle over defining citizenship. The article explores how the identification of "ghuspaithiyas" (illegal migrants) has become central to the 2026 election narrative, impacting both Hindu and Muslim communities while reshaping political alignments between the Trinamool Congress and BJP. The piece highlights the complex history of migration, naturalization, and the critical relationship between citizenship status and welfare entitlements.