Published Paper Details:

This paper explores the growing landscape of caste, class, and social justice in West Bengal, focusing on the period under Mamata Banerjee's leadership. The state has long been a site of complex sociopolitical dynamics, with entrenched caste hierarchies and socioeconomic disparities shaping its political discourse. This study delves into the state's reservation policies and examines their role in addressing the needs of marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Since 2011, West Bengal's approach to social justice has developed from class-based policies under the CPI (M) to a more caste-conscious framework under the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Mamata Banerjee's government has expanded reservation benefits for OBCs, especially Muslim communities, because of her political benefits in the election as there are no constitutional provisions for religious based reservation in India. A total of 97 Muslim castes were included in the list of OBCs in Categories A and B. The paper also highlights the legal complexities surrounding these policies, including the 2024 Calcutta High Court ruling that invalidated the OBC status of Muslim communities, which sparked intense political debate. West Bengal's reservation system fosters inclusion; however, a new study reveals its limitations and contradictions, particularly the conflict between economic equality and caste-based justice. West Bengal's complex interplay of caste, political power, and social justice is further examined through key legal and political milestones. The evolving trajectory of social justice in West Bengal, a product of political and legal influences, highlights valuable lessons on the intricate relationships between caste, class, and policy-making in modern India.