The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) will be implemented once the COVID-19 vaccination drive is complete, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressing a large gathering of people (majorly matuas) in Thakurnagar (West Bengal), on Thursday.
As he sought to placate the sect of Matuas ahead of Assembly elections in West Bengal; and assured them of “permanent Indian citizenship”.
According to Shah, “BJP sticks to the promise it makes, we have promised the CAA in 2018, they helped us in 2019 Lok Sabha election (sect has played a deciding role in 40-45 seats). In 2020, the government brought CAA in parliament”.“The delay in framing CAA rules because of Covid-19, meant opposition leaders including Mamata-ji (Banerjee) went all out in claiming that the BJP was not implementing Citizenship Amendment Act. Let me tell you, we will honour our commitments, bring in the CAA. It will be a reality. We will ensure citizenship for the Matuas. Give them the respect they deserve. First let the vaccination process be complete; then we will frame rules and implement CAA,” he said addressing the members of the community.
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He also assured the public that “not a single muslim or any community will lose its citizens under the law, rather the people will gain citizenship under the law”.
The Union Minister also promised welfare schemes specifically targeting the community that include pension for religious leaders (of the sect); renaming of the local rail station to highlight its historical significance; student scholarship schemes and so on.
