West Bengal to fast-track CAA citizenship for 2.5 lakh applicants
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced Rs 50 crore for Matua community development at a Thakurnagar event.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Sunday that the state will expedite hearings to provide citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to 2.5 lakh petitioners by December 31.
Addressing the International Matua Gosai Convention 2026 in Thakurnagar, North 24 Parganas, Adhikari noted that only 25,000 people in the state have received CAA citizenship so far.
The Chief Minister stated that all genuine Scheduled Castes receiving citizenship under the Act will be issued SC certificates. He also announced an allocation of Rs 50 crore for the development of the Matua community.
Adhikari credited the Matua community for the formation of the BJP government in the state. He claimed the previous Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, opposed the CAA and did nothing for the community.
The Chief Minister further mentioned that Thakurnagar would become a municipality in the upcoming budget. He also said special support would be provided for the Baruni Mela.
The Matua community is a Scheduled Caste group originating from present-day Bangladesh. The movement emerged in the late 19th century under Harichand Thakur and influenced the Namasudra community.