In West Bengal, fish has unexpectedly moved from the dinner plate to the campaign trail, becoming a major focus in the hotly contested election. For Bengali culture, fish is more than just sustenance, making it a deeply ingrained symbol of identity and pride.

In India’s West Bengal state, the beloved fish has leapt from the kitchen table to the campaign trail, becoming an unexpected flashpoint in a fiercely contested election. For Bengalis, fish is not merely food. It is intrinsic to the Bengali identity and pride. Its aroma drifts from roadside fryers, and it is a must at wedding feasts and festival spreads. Now, as the state of over 100 million people gears up for polls on April 23 and 29, the slippery staple has also become political...