17 Jan : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday rejected claims suggesting that members of the Matua community in West Bengal could lose their voting rights. He said these concerns were linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.
Addressing a public rally in Malda district, the Prime Minister made the statement during his address to the gathering.
“I request the people from the Matua community, as well as people coming to West Bengal from the neighbouring country because of religious oppression, not to be scared. It is my guarantee that their interests will be protected and citizenship will be granted to them under the Citizenship Amendment Act. If a government led by the BJP comes to power in West Bengal, it will work for the social development of the Matuas as well as people from other backward class communities,” PM Modi said.
The Matuas largely comprise socially marginalised refugees who moved from Bangladesh and settled in various regions of West Bengal. Significant concentrations of the community are found in Nadia and North 24 Parganas districts. In recent years, particularly since the 2019 general elections, the BJP has expanded its political presence in areas dominated by Matua voters.
Criticism of the Trinamool Congress
During his speech, PM Modi strongly criticised the Trinamool Congress (TMC). He accused the party of spreading misinformation and enabling illegal infiltration from across the border.
PM Modi described infiltration as a serious issue affecting West Bengal. He claimed that it was eroding the rights of the poor and vulnerable.
According to PM Modi, unchecked infiltration has deprived local youth of employment. He said it has also endangered women’s safety and disrupted the demographic balance of the state.
He also alleged that districts such as Malda and Murshidabad have witnessed rising violence due to these factors.
“They snatch away the jobs of the youth. They have oppressed our sisters, and they are bringing terrorism and violence to the country. The demographic balance is being destroyed. Violence is increasing in many places in Malda and Murshidabad. The alliance of infiltrators and those in power will have to be broken. If the BJP comes to power, there will be big steps against the infiltrators,” PM Modi concluded.
