Matua Community

March 20, 2023

PM has urged people to visit Matua Maha Mela in West Bengal.
Mela is organised on birth anniversary of Shri Harichand Thakur (1812-1878), who was the founder of the sect of Vaishnavite Hinduism called Matua.
He wrote couplets in Bengali and stressed on education and strong organisation as the primary modes of community empowerment.
He wanted to establish a classless, casteless society.

About Matua community

Matuas are Namasudras, a Scheduled Caste group considered untouchable during 19th C.E.
Matuas migrated to India during Partition and after the creation of Bangladesh.