ABSTRACT
Chapter 4 discusses the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in a rather unconventional and unknown way. Using ethnographic case studies from two Muslim-predominated districts of the state, this chapter shows how Shariya followers through their mosque-based organisations, backed by local political forces, are replacing the relatively open and syncretic pir and sufi traditions in West Bengal. I have shown a) how cross-border operations of the fundamentalist organisations have played a significant role in creating and nurturing the Islamic fundamentalism, b) in what ways the administration and political players have misread the Islamic traditions as a monolithic tradition and c) how far it leaves an impact on the public sphere at large through the spread of misinformation popularised by the pro-Hindutva machinery including their Information Technology wings.
