The Matua community in West Bengal celebrated the enactment of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019 at their headquarters in Thakurnagar, North 24 Parganas district, hailing it as a significant event akin to their “second independence day”.
Originally hailing from East Pakistan, the Matuas are a Hindu community who migrated to India during the Partition and subsequent formation of Bangladesh.
With an estimated population of three million in the state, the Matuas hold considerable sway in over 30 assembly constituencies in Nadia, North, and South 24 Parganas districts bordering Bangladesh.
While BJP leader Shantanu Thakur asserted that all refugees fleeing religious persecution would attain Indian citizenship, TMC leader Mamatabala Thakur questioned whether the Matuas would be required to prove their citizenship once more.
Both Shantanu Thakur and former TMC MP Mamatabala Thakur are members of the Matua community.
State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury criticized the BJP, alleging that the CAA was a tactic to garner Hindu votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, and expressed concerns over the challenges of providing evidence of religious persecution.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vowed to vehemently oppose the CAA if it was found to be discriminatory or infringed upon the citizenship rights of certain groups residing in India.
Earlier today, the Union Home Ministry (MHA) on Monday notified the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules.
“Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be notified today, of the Rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019). These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for a grant of Indian citizenship,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement on X.
“The applications will be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided,” the statement added.
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