Mamata Banerjee Vows to Resist Citizenship Matrix, Alleges BJP's Divisive Agenda

On Tuesday, Mamata Banerjee declared her determination to oppose the controversial citizenship matrix implemented by the saffron regime in Bengal and that she was prepared to give her life in support of the cause.

During the day, the Bengal chief minister gave two rallies at Habra and Siliguri, when she attacked the BJP head-on without holding back.

"There is a plot underway to take away citizenship rights. I read the CAA regulations. I don't think they're allowed. Clarity is lacking. Speaking in the afternoon at a state government function in Habra, North 24-Parganas, Mamata declared that the CAA and its regulations were discriminatory and unlawful under Article 14 of the Constitution. She stated over and over that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) was largely inspired by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

"All I can do is make sure that no one in Bengal is deprived of their rights. In other states (governed by parties other than the BJP), they will have to bear the accountability. We will not allow this law to be implemented (across the country) if we ever get the chance to do so nationally," she continued. This prompted the BJP to send out a group of high-ranking state officials and spokespeople to accuse her of purposeful disinformation, asserting that the CAA was intended to grant citizenship rather than take it away, and to largely ignore the NRC's concerns.

Mamata conducted a press conference at the state headquarters in Nabanna on Monday, just before the Union home ministry under Amit Shah sent out the notification. She had promised in her Habra address to provide a comprehensive answer that made clear the Trinamul Congress's position on the issue.

"It's a misinformation campaign. Before the elections, they intend to conduct war drills similar to what took place before 2019... nothing more than a pre-poll ploy," she said at Habra, constantly labelling it as "draconian," and in her speech in Siliguri, she called for the law to be repealed. "There will not be any detention centers in Bengal while we are here. I will offer my life if necessary to accomplish this, but I will not permit the rights of our people to be violated.

Mamata, who led the intense demonstrations against the citizenship tripod before the epidemic hit, questioned the Center's decision to execute it after more than four years, accusing it of being another “BJP jumla”—a figure of speech that is now seen as gimmickry. Concerns about its effects in the Northeast were also expressed by her.

"As soon as they file for citizenship, the persons who are being persuaded to do so will become illegal citizens. The BJP is playing this game. The chief of Trinamul warned, "Remember, this is about the NRC, and people will be taken away to detention camps."

By registering for this, individuals acknowledge that they entered the nation illegally, which could lead to the seizure of their assets. What becomes of their employment? I will ensure that no one is forced to leave Bengal and that everyone is protected.

"The day that the CAA went into effect was purposefully chosen to coincide with the start of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month. The strategy of the BJP is to set Muslims against Muslims and Hindus against Hindus. "All religious minorities - non-Muslim - in other Indian neighbours like Sri Lanka and Myanmar will also become illegal immigrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians who arrived after 2014," expressed Mamata.

The chief minister stated that it was unclear how immigrants who had already benefited from caste reservations would be treated in terms of the reservations.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.