Similar to the situation in Assam’s Barak Valley where Bengali-speaking Hindus who migrated from Bangladesh are hesitant to register under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the Matua community in West Bengal is also experiencing a shift from initial excitement to apprehension.
Currently, Matua community leaders are advising members to wait until after the elections and the confusion surrounding the required documents is resolved. BJP leaders are lobbying in Delhi to eliminate a clause in the rules that requests proof of residency in neighboring Bangladesh, Afghanistan, or Pakistan. Many Matua families are frantically contacting relatives in Bangladesh to obtain the necessary paperwork.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed in 2019 by the Narendra Modi government, but the rules were only notified on March 11, just days before the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll schedule.
The BJP is seeking to leverage the Matua community’s support in Bengal, a key state for the party. In response, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee has cautioned the Matuas against applying for citizenship under the CAA, citing concerns about potential consequences. This message has resonated with many who are skeptical of unfulfilled promises.
With uncertainties surrounding the application process and the implications of obtaining citizenship under the CAA, many Matuas are choosing to wait. The Matua Mahasangha, a major organization representing the community in Bengal, has called for rectification of the recently notified CAA rules and advised members to postpone applying until a new government is formed at the Centre.
Despite divisions within the Matua Mahasangha, both BJP and TMC factions are accusing each other of deceiving the people ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The Matuas, who are Hindus and belong to Scheduled Castes, have a long history of migrating to Bengal before and after Partition and the 1971 Bangladesh War.
As the rules stand, there are concerns about the documentation requirements and the potential consequences of obtaining citizenship under the CAA. Both BJP and TMC leaders within the Matua community are urging caution and advocating for further amendments to the rules to address these issues.