Mamata Banerjee's CAA Stance Causes Uncertainty Among Bengal's Matua Community

Mamata Banerjee's stance on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has caused confusion among the Matua community in West Bengal. She has promised to scrap the CAA if her party wins the elections. This has left many in Bengal, who expected to benefit from the CAA, uncertain about its future.

The Matua community stands to gain the most from the CAA in Bengal. However, Mamata Banerjee's comments have left them unsure. Shantanu Thakur, head of the Matua Mahasabha and Union Minister, has said that the Matua community will still apply for citizenship under the CAA.

Thakur stated that the Matua people know citizenship is essential for their future generations. He believes no speech by Mamata Banerjee can stop them from applying for citizenship under the CAA. The Bangaon Lok Sabha constituency will go to polls on May 20. This area has many refugees from Bangladesh.

Besides the Matua, there are many Dalits, Adivasis, and other backward castes who have settled here after coming from Bangladesh. They are also waiting to apply for the CAA. Juthika Sarkar, who came from Bangladesh decades ago, said she would apply for the CAA and vote for Shantanu Thakur.

She believes he will win. TMC has fielded Biswajit Das, while Congress has nominated Pradip Biswas. Manoranjan Sarkar said they would help BJP in their area and are waiting for citizenship. Many Dalits and backward classes in Bangaon are eager to apply for the CAA after the elections.

There is also a significant population of Adivasis in the area who find citizenship very important. Sufal Sarkar from Phulbari Nahata said they supported BJP in the last Lok Sabha elections but faced harassment during the 2021 elections. He believes control over Panchayat is crucial.

However, some people near Bangaon town are confused about the CAA. Sushila Adhikari said her family always supported CPM, but it doesn't have a candidate this time. Trinamool gave money for pucca houses but took a cut from every house.

The BJP candidate accused Mamata Banerjee of misleading the Matua community. He urged people not to believe her words and clarified that having a voter card or Aadhaar card does not mean one is a citizen.

This conflicting stance on the CAA has created confusion among the Matua community and other groups who could benefit from it. The upcoming elections will likely play a crucial role in determining the fate of the CAA in Bengal.