The CM’s comments came after Union Minister Shantanu Thakur claimed that the law will be implemented across the country within the next seven days.
“We were the ones who hit the streets to protest against the NRC (National Register of Citizens). Our Rajbangshi friends are citizens already. They (the BJP) are now screaming CAA CAA again to do politics before the elections. Here everybody is a citizen. We have given them the recognition, permanent settlement and the benefits of our welfare schemes. If these people aren’t citizens, how did they vote? How did they get the benefits of these welfare schemes?” Banerjee said at a public distribution programme in Cooch Behar district in north Bengal.
The Chief Minister said her government has acknowledged all colonies as permanent addresses and all residents who get the benefit of various state government benefits are citizens of the country. “We have given permanent addresses to all colonies. They get ration, go to schools, get scholarships, and avail of Kisan Bandhu, Shikhashree, Oikoshree and Laxmir Bhandar schemes. How were they able to cast votes if they were not citizens?” Banerjee asked.
Meanwhile, Banerjee alleged that the Border Security Force (BSF) has been issuing separate identity cards to people living along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. She urged the people to reject these documents as their names would be deleted from the NRC.
Asking people to lodge police complaints against the BSF, the CM said, “The BSF is torturing people. Tell them (BSF) that you have Aadhaar and ration cards and you do not need the fake ID cards. If you accept these cards your name will be deleted from the NRC,” said Banerjee who is on a five-day trip to north Bengal districts.
In the run-up to the 2021 state Assembly elections, the TMC had lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India that the BSF was threatening villagers in the border areas. The BSF, however, had denied the charges.
Meanwhile, Banerjee announced that she will once again sit on a dharna on February 2 to mark her protest against the Centre for not clearing dues to the state under various welfare schemes. “The Centre is depriving us of our funds. We will wait till February 1. If we do not get our dues, then I will sit on a dharna on February 2. The dharna will continue in every booth across the state,” said Banerjee.
Hitting out at the Central government for “misusing” central agencies, Banerjee said, “Do you remember the Sitalkuchi case? The CISF earlier shot four people dead. They shoot people as if they are zamindars. If anyone oppresses you in your village, fire an FIR first. They instil fear and conduct elections through agencies.”