KOLKATA 11 FEB: In order to assuage the hard feelings of the Matua community, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Citizenship Amendment Act, or the CAA, will only be implemented after the centre completes the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Though, Shah did not put a time frame or set a deadline for the same.
While addressing a gathering at Thakurnagar in Bengal, a Bangladesh-bordering area with the Hindu migrants from Bangladesh dominating the population here, said, “Do not worry. There is no need to worry about the implementation of CAA as the work will be started after the vaccination program ends.”
Now, with an eye on the Koch-Rajbongshi and Matua votes, the Union Minister promised welfare schemes for the community inhabiting the northern regions of Bengal, Assam, among others and that contributes to more than 30 per cent of the vote share. Precisely, targeting the community that also includes pension for religious leaders. Shah announced ₹750 crores worth of welfare schemes at least starting from renaming the local railway station to add shine to its historical significance, student scholarships, and more.
During the rally, for the community, Shah declared that there will be a cultural centre at ₹500 crores. And an estimated ₹250 crore memorial for the Panchanan Verma (a reformist Rajbongshi leader). In addition, there will also be a tourist circuit. Only, focusing on the history and important landmarks of the region. There were promises of jobs, too. Also, the election manifesto will lay out a clear road-map for the same.
In particular, the Union Minister claimed that if BJP comes to power, they will provide scholarships for graduate and postgraduate Matua students, too.
Moreover, earlier in 2018, the Narendra Modi government had promised that it will bring in a new citizenship law for the refugees and provide scholarships to Dalit students. Shah added, “We kept the promise after the BJP was voted to power in 2019 and brought in the Citizenship Amendment Act. However, it could not be implemented as the country was hit by the global pandemic in 2020.”
Shah added, “Within a week of coming to power, we will change the name of Thakurnagar Railway station to Shri Dham Thakurnagar Railway station. Only, because it has been a long demand from the Matua community. We have personally requested the state government to process the name change for the station. But, they have deliberately delayed the process. Now, there are only two months left. And a week after forming the government, we will change the name.”
Further, Shah assured that no Muslim families will have to leave Bengal if CAA is implemented.
“The Opposition parties are trying to portray a negative image of CAA. But, no Muslim families will be left out, if CAA is implemented in Bengal. Is chanting Jai Shri Ram a crime in West Bengal? If we don’t chant Jai Shri ram here, will we chant Jai Shri Ram in Pakistan?”
According to Shah, under Banerjee’s government, there has been an increase in illegal immigrants in Bengal. Also, he believes that it has increased only due to the Mamata government’s indulgence.
However, it is worth noting that the Matua community has been simmering with discontent about the delay in implementation of the CAA and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). In fact, a majority section of the Matua community members wished the BJP to frame the CAA rules before the polls. Mainly, this was because they wanted to acmes the provisions and procedures for applying for citizenship under this Act. In addition, the Matua community is a politically influenced one. Especially, the ones that voted overwhelmingly in favour of the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Fortunately, this community helped them secure the Bongaon and Ranaghat Lok Sabha seats from the state’s ruling TMC.
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Although, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mocked Shah’s statement. She said, ”The rules of CAA has not been framed yet. He needs to make himself clear and specify the time frame of when it will be implemented. He said that after the vaccination program will be completed, the CAA process will start. I want to ask is it election vaccination?”