Source: File Photos : Official Twitter Page Amit Shah
Kolkata :As the battle for Bengal inches closer with the 2021 elections just a year away and the BJP, already having proved their supremacy in the state in the Lok Sabha polls, the party is going all guns blazing at the ruling Trinamool Congress for misleading the people on NRC issue.
Negating all statements made by Mamata Banerjee the BJP Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday made it clear that TMC was unnecessarily trying to mislead people by claiming that all refugees will have to leave India if NRC takes place.
Addressing a seminar organised by state BJP at Netaji Indoor Stadium here, Shah said: “The TMC is misleading the people of Bengal on NRC. We would like to clarify that all intruders will be thrown out of India but Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist and Christian refugees will be safe and will enjoy their rights as Indian citizens. We urge all our Karyakartas to visit each and every household in the state and tell them what is NRC and why it is needed in Bengal.”
Shah added, “Before NRC is implemented in the state, we will pass the Citizenship Amendment Bill and then start the process of NRC in Bengal. Earlier Trinamool Congress did not allow the Bill to be passed in Rajya Sabha and they walked out, but this time we will ensure that the Citizenship Amendment Bill is passed before the NRC process starts.”
Congratulating the people of Bengal for helping BJP increase its seat share to 18 from 2 in 2014, Shah said that the BJP hoped to form the government in 2021.
“The BJP has crossed the 300 mark for the first time in this year’s Lok Sabha election. I thank the people of Bengal for their contribution in believing and voting for BJP. Almost 2.5 crore Bengalis voted for us. You have seen the Congress government, CPI(M) government , Trinamool Congress government. Please vote for us in the coming elections, so that we can come to power in Bengal and give you back your Sonar Bangla which has been lost in these years,” Shah said.
Here is Amit Shah’s speech on NRC at Netaji Indoor Stadium which has been uplaoded on BJP official twitter account
Amit Mitra, state finance minister, said: “We are shocked to hear Amit Shah’s statement on NRC . At a time when Bengal is gearing up for the Durga Puja, what is shocking is that Shah categorically mentioned who will stay in the list after NRC and who will be excluded. Does our constitution allow anybody to discriminate on the religious lines?” he asked.
Mitra said that before the Pujas Shah is trying to instil a fear in the hearts of the citizens whether they can stay in Bengal or have to leave after NRC is implemented.
“Few days back one of my relative who is 79 years old called me up and asked me what documents I have to submit to prove that I am the citizen of India. I have come from Bangladesh many years back ,when it is East India and I have settled here. I am afraid, “Mitra said.
Here is the tweet from All India Trinamool Congress official twitter handle regarding their views on NRC after Amit Shah’s speech at Netaji Indoor Stadium.
How Trinamool Congress has gone ahead with the NRC in Bengal
It may be mentioned that Trinamool Congress has already launched an attack against BJP on the NRC issue and claimed that people are committing suicide because fearing exclusion of NRC is implemented.
In Bengal already 16 people have committed suicide. Trinamool Congress chief Miss Mamata Banerjee has also convened a walk in protest against NRC implementation in Bengal. A few days ago, Banerjee went to Delhi and personally met with Amit Shah and urged the Union Home Minister not to implement NRC in Bengal. Miss Banerjee has already urged the district administration and the local panchyat bodies to help the people for getting all the documents ready.
According to legal experts, while NRC in Assam is a part of the Assam Accord, if BJP wants to do the same in other states they need to first pass the Citizenship Amendment Bill to avoid any legal hassles, and accordingly BJP is going in that direction.
Shakti Bhattacharya, a lawyer of Alipore court said: “If Centre wants to conduct NRC , then they first need to pass the Citizenship Amendment Bill before starting the NRC process and BJP is heading in the right direction. “
Shah also said that for the country’s national security NRC is needed and also accused Banerjee of showing dual standards when it comes to vote bank.
Shah said: “I want to remind Mamata Di of her speech on 4 Aug 2005 in which she had clearly mentioned that she will oppose the entry of the intruders . But soon after coming to power for the sake of vote bank she is speaking against the NRC. Political ambitions should not prevail over national priorities,”
Amit Shah’s speech on NRC has received widespread criticism from all political parties.
Md Selim , CPI(M) leader said ” We will not allow NRC to happen in Bengal . By claiming that two crores people will have to leave the country, BJP is trying to play politics on communal lines and trying to polarise between Muslims and other communities staying in India. We will protest on this issue.”
Soumen Mitra , Pradesh Congress chief of West Bengal said ” BJP is not aware of history and constitution and for the greater interest of the nation we won’t allow NRC to be implemented in Bengal.”
Abrogation of Article 370 a tribute to Shyama Prasad Mookherjee
Shah said that the abrogation of Article 370 is a tribute to Shyama Prasad Mookherjee who hailed from Bengal.
“There is a connection with Artilce 370 and Bengal and way back Shyama Prasad Mookherji waged the first war against it, and gave his life for the abrogation of the Article. After 73 years, you gave us 18 seats, and in response, PM Modi abrogated Article 370 & 35A in the first session of the Parliament,” Shah mentioned.
Shah said: “Some people say that we are outsiders in Bengal. I want to tell such people to read history. During partition, entire Bengal was about to go to Pakistan. Then, it was our leader, Shyama Prasad Mookherji, who revolted and formed West Bengal. Today, if West Bengal is a part of the Union of India, it is the result of the revolt of Shyama Prasad Mookherji,”