Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reassured the Matua community that individuals who have applied for citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act will not lose their voting rights. Shah, speaking in Kolkata, emphasized that community members who have sought citizenship will retain their voting privileges. The Matuas, a socially backward community who migrated as refugees from Bangladesh to West Bengal, have been a focal point of political discussions in the state.
Shah reiterated the Bharatiya Janata Party’s commitment to granting citizenship to all refugees in India, ensuring protection for them. He also criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for obstructing the implementation of central government welfare schemes in the state. The Union Home Minister accused Banerjee of hindering initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and PM Kisan Yojanas due to political apprehensions.
Furthermore, Shah condemned Banerjee’s recent decisions to fund temple constructions from the state treasury, labeling it as a superficial attempt to appease the public. He highlighted the challenges faced by the Union government in executing infrastructure projects in West Bengal, attributing the hindrances to the state government’s resistance. Shah questioned the state’s reluctance to cooperate with national development initiatives compared to other states.
