New Delhi [India], November 15 : Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has written to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking urgent intervention to exempt the deprived Matua community of West Bengal from the strict documentary requirements under Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and to formally recognise their rightful citizenship.
On Thursday, upon the invitation of the All India Matua Mahasangha, Chowdhury visited the hunger-strike site at Thakurnagar. During his interaction with the fasting community members, he witnessed firsthand their pain, fear and deep anxiety about their future. He assured them that he would stand by them with his full capacity and commitment in their struggle for justice.
Chowdhury noted in his letter that the Matuas--who migrated from East Pakistan decades ago after facing severe persecution, hardship and displacement--have been part of India's social and democratic fabric ever since.
Highlighting the Government's decision to extend the CAA cutoff date for "victims of religious persecution" from 31 December 2014 to 31 December 2024, he urged that similar humanitarian consideration be extended to the long-settled Matua community. He called for an Ordinance before the forthcoming Winter Session of Parliament to secure their citizenship and protect their voting rights in the Assembly and Parliamentary elections.
He further expressed concern that this community, which has participated in elections for decades and elected representatives to both the State Assembly and Parliament, now faces the unjust threat of losing their voting rights because they are unable to produce documentation nearly 25 years old--an unrealistic expectation for a historically marginalised and displaced population.
Through this act, Chowdhury reaffirmed his steadfast commitment to stand firmly with the Matua community in their fight for dignity, security and full citizenship rights.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is opposed to the ongoing SIR in West Bengal and 11 other states, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is using the exercise to insert fake votes in the electoral roll.