West Bengal CM promises CAA citizenship for 2.5 lakh people by December 31
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also announced a Rs 50 crore grant for the development of the Matua community.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Sunday that the state government will speed up hearings to grant citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to 2.5 lakh petitioners by December 31. According to reports by Urban Acres and Siasat, Adhikari made this announcement at the International Matua Gosai Convention 2026 in Thakurnagar, North 24 Parganas.
The Chief Minister noted that 25,000 people in West Bengal have received citizenship under the CAA so far. He stated that all genuine Scheduled Caste applicants who obtain citizenship through the act will be issued Scheduled Caste certificates.
Addressing the gathering, Adhikari credited the Matua community for the formation of the BJP government in the state. He also announced a grant of Rs 50 crore intended for the development of the community.
Adhikari accused former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of opposing the law and claimed she did nothing for the Matua community. He said that Chief Ministers in other states have implemented the CAA and provided citizenship to those who are eligible.
The CAA offers a path to citizenship for persecuted minority groups from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The Matuas, who originate from present-day Bangladesh, are a Scheduled Caste community in West Bengal.