Shantanu, brother spar over religious certs distribution
Times of India | 25 August 2025
Kolkata: Bongaon's Thakurbari turned into a political battleground on Sunday after two brothers — BJP neta and Union minister Shantanu Thakur and BJP MLA and All India Matua Mahasangh chief Subrata Thakur — publicly sparred over the issuance of religious certificates.
While their mother Chhabi Rani supported Subrata, their father Manjul Krishna backed Shantanu.
The rift escalated after Subrata and his mother met Mamata Bala Thakur, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member and chief of Matua Mahasangha, another association of the Matuas. Mamata Bala is the aunt of Shantanu and Subrata. | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in KolkataThe meeting triggered a buzz in the political circles that new equations are taking shape among the Matuas ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Shantanu alleged that his elder brother Subrata was planning to leave BJP and join Trinamool Congress. He said, "Whatever I am doing (issuance of religious certificates) has the permission of BJP's senior leadership. They are deliberately targeting me. TMC is luring him (Subrata) with posts and promises of a ministerial berth to conspire against me. But this won't work.
"In a sharp counter, Subrata said, "That is Shantanu's wishful thinking. Had he not received a BJP ticket in the last Lok Sabha polls, he would have joined Trinamool himself. I have no plan to join Trinamool. He does everything on his own. When I protest, he abuses me and even my mother. I met Mamata Bala Thakur for the sake of Thakurbari and the Matua community. For me, family comes first, then politics.
"The dispute centres around the distribution of religious certificates. The documents, which certify that persons owning them are members of the Matua community, are required to fill CAA forms.
Both Subrata and Shantanu have been issuing separate certificates signed by them. On Saturday, Shantanu's followers organised a special camp to issue the certificates at the Natmandir in Thakurbari, drawing objections from Subrata.
While Shantanu alleged that Subrata threatened Matuas at the venue, Subrata said he wanted the Natmandir to be vacated as it was being used for all kinds of programmes, including political ones.
Subrata also accused Shantanu of monopolising power at Thakurbari and running a "brokerage raj" using his ministerial clout. "I want all Matuas, regardless of party affiliations, to stop this," he said.
Mother Chhabi Rani Thakur weighed in, saying: "Some people under Shantanu's leadership are disturbing the ambience at Thakurbari. Subrata, as Mahasangha chief, has every right to talk to Mamata Bala Thakur about this.
"Shantanu, however, dismissed the allegations. "I am not snatching anyone's rights. Who is Mamata Bala Thakur? Subrata is all set to join Trinamool — only the flag remains to be picked up. He is jealous because I became a minister. Now, he wants to switch sides to become a minster himself. This is nothing but drama.
"Mamata Bala said, "It was Subrata who came to meet me. Both Shantanu and Subrata are like my children. As a senior, it was my duty to intervene and prevent further quarrels. As for joining Trinamool, Subrata never discussed anything with me.
"She added, "Shantanu has been holding CAA camps for a long time at Natmandir in an unethical way.
"Father and former state minister Manjul Krishna has stood by Shantanu. He said he granted permission for the Natmandir camp as the chief caretaker of Matua Mahasangha. "If there were any differences, they could have been resolved through family discussions. Why is Trinamool involved here? I don't support the actions of Subrata.