Kolkata, Nov. 1 -- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday set December 31 as the deadline for granting citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to 2.5 lakh applicants in

the state, promising to expedite a process long sought by the Matua community.

Speaking at the International Matua Gosai Convention in Thakurnagar, North 24-Parganas, Adhikari said only around 25,000 people had received citizenship under the Act in Bengal so far. He blamed former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for obstructing its implementation, alleging that her opposition had particularly affected Hindu refugees and Matuas.

He said Banerjee had opposed the CAA as an appeasement measure, but Hindu refugees had rejected her stand and democratically removed her from power.

Adhikari praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for visiting the Matua temple at Orakandi in Bangladesh and Union Home minister Amit Shah for extending CAA eligibility to Hindus and others who entered India until December 2024 after facing religious persecution.

Taking aim at those allegedly trying to divide the country, he referred to them as "cockroaches and bedbugs" and invoked the "Tukde gang", saying people did not want another partition.

Recalling his family's refugee background, Adhikari said his mother, Gayatri, had come from Chittagong. His grandfather, Pannalal Bhattacharya, a teacher there, was forced to flee and later became a factory manager in Chandernagore.

The announcement assumes political significance amid anxieties in the Matua community over citizenship documents and electoral roll revisions. Adhikari said those granted citizenship would have their names included in electoral rolls, while eligible Scheduled Caste members would receive SC certificates.

Thanking the Matuas for supporting the BJP and helping it win 70 A

ssembly seats, he announced a Rs 50-crore grant for the Matua Development Board. He

also promised Union

minister of State Santanu Thakur that a large temple would be built for the community.

Adhikari praised Manjul Krishna Thakur for leaving the Mamata Banerjee government over dissatisfaction with its functioning. He announced that Thakurnagar, regarded as the Matua community's headquarters, would soon become a municipality. He also acknowledged the contributions of Thakur Harichand, Guruchand and PR Thakur.

Reiterating the December 31 deadline, Adhikari said a workshop was held at Nabanna to accelerate the CAA process. He said no Hindu refugee should languish in jail and asked people to inform him if any Matua was imprisoned without trial.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.