BJP MP and Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar, speaking at an election campaign, defended being “communal” as necessary to protect religion and culture. He argued that secularism had failed after Partition, citing instances of communal violence as evidence. He further claimed that to understand the “true condition” of the state, one must visit districts with significant Muslim populations, such as Malda and Murshidabad. He also alleged that Muslim leaders are given electoral tickets by the Trinamool Congress and that the use of microphones during Durga Puja festivities is restricted in such areas.