New Delhi, April 27 -- On 26 April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Matua Thakur Temple in Thakurnagar, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal to offer prayers to Matua community founders Harichand Thakur and Guruchand Thakur.

The visit came during campaigning for the West Bengal assembly elections and was aimed at reaching out the Matua community, which has an influence in at least 34 seats in the upcoming second and final phase of West Bengal elections.

As the headquarters of the Matua Mahasangha, Matua Thakur Temple, in Thakur Nagar of Bongaon area in North 24 Parganas is a key spiritual and political center for the Namasudra community. The Matua Mahasangha is a 19th-century movement focused on social reform and education for the Na...