Nasya Sheikh community to protest after Durga Puja, seeks indigenous recognition

The Paschimbanga Nasya Sheikh Unnayan Parishad — an organisation representing the Nasya Sheikh community or the Rajbanshi Muslims — has decided to launch an agitation after Durga Puja to demand recognition as the state’s indigenous inhabitants.

The organisation will also seek to restore names deleted from electoral rolls during the special intensive revision (SIR) process, resolve issues related to OBC certificates, and have Kamtapuri recognised as the community’s mother tongue in the upcoming census.

The decisions were taken at a meeting in Cooch Behar on Sunday, where Bazle Rahaman, president of the parishad, Abed Ali, the Cooch Behar district committee secretary, and other members were present.

“The demand for indigenous status for the Nasya Sheikh community had been pending for a long time. The old census records maintained that during British rule between 1872 and 1931, we were referred to as an indigenous community,” he said.

He cited the Assam government’s recognition of indigenous Muslims in the state as “Deshi Muslims” in 2022, arguing that the Bengal government should similarly acknowledge the community’s claim to indigenous status.

“We have recently met north Bengal development minister Nisith Pramanik (who is also from Cooch Behar) and discussed the issue with him. We will approach him again, seeking an appointment with the chief minister,” he added.

Nazrul Islam, the organisation’s Cooch Behar district president, also alleged that the names of a large number of indigenous Muslims had been removed from the
electoral rolls.

“We will take up the issue after Durga Puja... so that they get back the voting rights. If required, we will also launch a movement on the issue,” said Islam.

The parishad also said they would record their mother tongue as Kamtapuri in the upcoming census.

“Recording the language will help to preserve and highlight the community’s distinct history, culture and linguistic heritage,” said Rahaman.