Will take battle of ‘existence’ to Delhi: Abhishek to Matuas
Times of India | 17 November 2025
Kolkata: A three-member Trinamool Congress delegation led by ministers Shashi Panja and Snehashis Chakraborty met protesters from the Matua community on Sunday, handing them a written message from the party's national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee.
The protesters have launched a fast-unto-death at Thakurbari, the community's headquarters, amid rising fears of losing citizenship under the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The indefinite hunger strike, led by TMC Rajya Sabha member Mamata Bala Thakur, sanghadhipati of the All India Matua Mahasangha (AIMM), entered its 12th day on Sunday. The agitation began on Nov 5, with several protesters already hospitalised due to deteriorating health.
Panja, Chakraborty and TMC neta Tanmoy Ghosh arrived at Thakurbari around 3.30 pm. "In his message addressed to our gosai, dalapati and Matua members of AIMM, Abhishek Banerjee assured us of standing firmly by the community. He has given us his word that he will take this movement to protect the existence of Matuas to the heart of India's capital, Delhi. He also expressed serious concern over the health of the protesters and urged us to withdraw the agitation.
But we are still on hunger strike," Mamata Bala said.
Panja said the team held detailed discussions with the protesters and reviewed their condition.
"BJP is creating one anti-Bengal, anti-Bengali issue after another. In the name of SIR, they are trying to evict Matuas, refugees and legitimate voters from Bengal's electoral rolls. Under the leadership of CM Mamata Banerjee, we will foil this conspiracy," she said.
Earlier, Congress neta Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had visited Thakurbari, interacted with the protesters and expressed solidarity. CPM netas also visited them.
Junior Union minister Shantanu Thakur, BJP's Bongaon MP and the AIMM's other faction head, has assured that anyone whose name is removed will be granted citizenship under CAA. However, his assurance has done little to dispel fears.
While BJP has supported SIR, observers say the party is now facing pressure in Bengal as unease spreads within the community, a politically significant vote bank. Matua leaders said preparations are underway for a larger movement against SIR, which may soon reach Delhi.