Amit Shah Guarantees Voting Rights For Matua Community On Citizenship Applications

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured the Matua community that individuals who have submitted applications for citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) will retain their voting rights.

Speaking to the media in Kolkata on Tuesday, Shah sought to allay concerns over disenfranchisement on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal.

“The people from the Matua community have nothing to worry about. Every refugee who has come to India will be treated as a citizen. This is the BJP’s promise. No one can harm them. Not even Mamata Banerjee,” he said, emphasising the party’s commitment to protecting refugees while continuing efforts against illegal infiltration.

Shah targeted the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over allegations that several Matua voters could lose their rights under the SIR process.

He also criticised Banerjee for allegedly blocking the implementation of central social welfare schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and PM Kisan Yojana in West Bengal.

“Mamata Banerjee is scared to lose her voter base. She is afraid of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity. That fear has prompted her to block the implementation of schemes like Ayushman Bharat in the state,” Shah claimed.

He further criticised the state government’s expenditure on temple projects, suggesting these were attempts to distract from long-standing political issues.

“This is an attempt to apply ointment on the wounds caused by her appeasement politics. But it is too late, and this exercise will be fruitless,” he added.

Shah also highlighted alleged obstacles faced by Union government infrastructure projects in West Bengal. He contrasted this with smoother implementation in states such as Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.

“Opposing any central initiative has become a habit for the Trinamool Congress. No one takes their opposition seriously now,” he said.

Political Significance of the Matua Community

The Matua community, a socially backward group that migrated from Bangladesh and settled mainly in Nadia and North 24 Parganas, has long been a focal point of political discourse in West Bengal.

Observers view Shah’s remarks as an attempt to reassure the community ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections while highlighting the BJP’s focus on welfare, citizenship rights, and state development.

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