City
Epaper

BJP trying to divide Bengal on NRC, CAB: Mamata

By IANS | Updated: November 19, 2019 19:25 IST

Ruling out any scope for the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) or any National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused the BJP, without naming it, of trying to divide the people of the state on the twin issues.

Open in App

Speaking at an administrative meeting in north Bengal's South Dinajpur district, Banerjee said that CAB will make those coming under the provision a foreigner for six years before a final decision is taken on their citizenship rights.

"The Citizenship Amendment Bill has provisions that will make you a foreigner for six years. Just imagine, today you have citizenship, you have all the documents and you are a voter. Now, from being an Indian, you will suddenly become a foreigner for six years. Then it will be decided whether you are a citizen of this country," Banerjee said.

The CAB provides for granting Indian citizenship to minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan after an aggregate period of residence or service of a government in India for "not less than six years".

The Chief Minister said that people should not worry about NRC or CAB, as neither will become a reality in West Bengal.

"There will neither be CAB, nor NRC. So don't worry. Despite that, I must tell you that all of you are Indian citizens. There is not a single person who is not a citizen irrespective of whether you are a Rajbanshi, Santhal, Hindu or Muslim, Bengali or Gokha.

"Whoever lives in Bengal, has a ration card, who run their own business or do some other work, or whose children study in schools or whoever receives benefits of government schemes, you are all citizens," she said.

In an apparent reference to the BJP, Banerjee said 'some people' were trying to break the age-old amity between communities.

"At some places, they are saying only Rajbanshis would be beneficiaries of CAB, not Bengalis. In this way, they are trying to drive a wedge between Rajbanshis and Bengalis.

"At some other places, they are trying to divide Bengalis who came as refugees, and others who have been living here for generations. Similarly, attempts are being made to divide Hindus and Muslims, and Muslims and Christ," the Chief Minister said.

Describing the entire matter as a 'big farce', she urged people not to believe in such propaganda. "Unity in diversity is a salient feature of West Bengal. If anybody tries to spread misinformation, don't panic," she said.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: bengalindiabanerjeenrc
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalPM Narendra Modi Discusses Tech and Innovation Collaboration With Elon Musk

NationalTahawwur Rana Extradition: Pakistan Distances Itself From 26/11 Accused After Arrival in India

NationalIndia Expands Rafale Power: Rs 64,000 Crore Deal Cleared for Navy Fighter Jets

NationalHeatwave in India: Maharashtra, Gujarat Experience Unbearable Night and Day Time Temperature, Bengaluru Likely to Witness Rain

NationalIMD predicts Heatwave in North India For Next 6 days, Delhi to Record 42-degree Celsius

National Realted Stories

NationalPak doesn’t deserve any mercy or soft corner: Lt Col Gopal Chaturvedi

NationalPahalgam terror attack: India scales down BSF's ceremonial display at Attari

NationalCong calls Pahalgam attack 'intelligence failure,' accuses BJP of spreading hatred

NationalPahalgam terror attack: Shah and Jaishankar update President Murmu, foreign envoys briefed at MEA headquarters

NationalDTCP demolishes ten illegal colonies in Gurugram’s Sohna block