Suvendu Adhikari announced faster CAA hearings for 2.5 lakh applicants in West Bengal. The move couples Matua outreach with SC certificates and a Rs 50 crore grant.Without naming Mamata Banerjee, Adhikari said the previous chief minister had opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday said his government would speed up hearings and grant citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act to 2.5 lakh applicants in the state by December 31, news agency Press Trust of India reported.Adhikari also announced a grant of Rs 50 crore for the development of the Matua community and said eligible Scheduled Caste applicants who receive citizenship under the law would be given SC certificates.Addressing the International Matua Gosai Convention 2026 at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district, Adhikari credited the community's support for the formation of the BJP government in West Bengal.“Only 25,000 people have received citizenship under CAA in West Bengal so far. We will expedite the hearing and provide citizenship to 2.5 lakh petitioners by December 31,” Adhikari said, according to PTI. “The CMs of all other states have implemented CAA, and those eligible got their citizenship.
Only Mamata Banerjee opposed it,” he said.“This government in West Bengal could be formed because of support from the Matua community,” the chief minister added. Earlier in the day, Adhikari told reporters in Thakurnagar that his predecessor, Mamata Banerjee, had done nothing for the Matua community and had instead divided it.Without naming Banerjee, Adhikari said the previous chief minister had opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act, which provides citizenship to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Matuas trace their origins to present-day Bangladesh.“I am happy to be here. If I can do anything for Thakurnagar, that would be my biggest achievement.
The previous CM had divided the Matuas and their society and did nothing for them. In fact, she directly opposed the CAA.
In the coming days, I will work for them,” Adhikari said.The Matuas are a Scheduled Caste community and part of a social reform movement that emerged in the late 19th century under the leadership of Harichand Thakur. The movement primarily mobilised members of the Namasudra community in undivided eastern Bengal.
Namasudras are also classified as a Scheduled Caste in West Bengal.Adhikari said his government would grant citizenship to 2.5 lakh applicants by December 31, issue SC certificates to eligible recipients and provide Rs 50 crore for the development of the Matua community.- Ends