Bengal CM to provide CAA citizenship to 2.5 lakh petitioners by Dec 31
Suvendu Adhikari promised to expedite hearings and announced Rs 50 crore for Matua community development.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Sunday that the state government will complete hearings and grant citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to 2.5 lakh petitioners by December 31. Speaking at the International Matua Gosai Convention 2026 in Thakurnagar, North 24 Parganas, Adhikari noted that only 25,000 people have received citizenship under the CAA in the state so far.
According to reports from Deccan Herald, Outlook, and ThePrint, Adhikari also pledged a Rs 50 crore grant to support the development of the Matua community. He further promised to restructure the Matua Development Board within the current financial year.
The Chief Minister stated that all genuine Scheduled Castes receiving citizenship under the CAA will be issued SC certificates. He added that the government would assist those receiving certificates in enrolling their names in electoral rolls during a special revision exercise starting in January.
Adhikari credited the Matua community for the formation of the BJP government in West Bengal. He accused his predecessor, Mamata Banerjee, of opposing the CAA and neglecting the community.
The Matuas are a Scheduled Caste community belonging to a social reform movement led by Harichand Thakur in the late 19th century. The movement primarily mobilised the Namasudra community in undivided Bengal.