Mixed Reactions to CAA Rules in West Bengal as Matuas Celebrate, Mamata Questions Timing

The notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, brought celebrations among sections of the Matua community in West Bengal, particularly at Thakurbari, the headquarters of All India Matua Mahasangha. Matuas, comprising Hindu Namasudras, had long awaited the framing of rules related to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019. The rules, allowing eligible individuals to apply for Indian citizenship under CAA-2019, were seen as a positive development by many in the Matua sect.

However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the timing of the notification, raising concerns about its issuance just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. She emphasized that she would fiercely oppose the rules if found discriminatory, vowing not to allow detention camps or the implementation of the NRC in the state. While the BJP hailed the development, the Trinamool Congress is likely to use the CAA as a campaign issue, portraying it as discriminatory against Muslims and potentially impacting existing citizens’ entitlements and documents.