Mamata Bala collapses mins before ending SIR protest fast
Times of India | 18 November 2025
Kolkata: Thirteen days into her hunger strike demanding unconditional citizenship for all Matua people amid the special intensive revision (SIR) of voter rolls, Trinamool MP and All Matua Mahasangha (AIMM) Sanghadhipati Mamata Bala Thakur collapsed on the dais on Monday, minutes before she was scheduled to withdraw the protest.
Initially, Mamata Bala was slated to end her fast at noon Monday, along with Goansai, Dalapati, Pagol and other Matuas of the Trinamool-backed faction of AIMM, responding to an appeal by Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
"But she chose to wait for other Matuas to arrive. While waiting, her condition deteriorated sharply due to prolonged fasting. As anxiety spread among supporters, she collapsed and had to be rushed to a hospital.
Before being taken away, she formally broke her fast on the dais," said Pramatha Ranjan Biswas, president of Mamata Bala's faction.
Mamata Bala and her supporters had been protesting against SIR, which they feared could lead to large-scale exclusion of Matua and refugee names from the voters' list. Several protestors on hunger strike had fallen ill even as their sit-in continued in front of Boro Ma's house at Thakurbari.
Late Sunday night, Mamata Bala announced she would end the hunger strike on Monday "out of respect" for Banerjee's appeal after a three-member Trinamool delegation met protestors and handed over a letter to them from Banerjee. Banerjee also spoke to Mamata Bala over the phone and urged her to end the fast citing concerns over the deteriorating health of those on hunger strike.
But moments before she could end her fast, Mamata Bala collapsed.
Doctors administered saline and advised immediate hospitalisation. She was first taken to Thakurnagar hospital and then shifted to Bongaon Super Specialty Hospital. "Not eating for so many days has caused complications. I am feeling weak," she told reporters right before leaving the protest site.
One protestor said, "Her condition is very critical. Hospital officials and doctors from Bongaon and Chandpara came and said she may need critical care."
Before Mamata Bala's ambulance left, fellow Gonsai netas fed lemon water to Mamata Bala and other Gonsai Pagals, to mark the end of the hunger strike.
The Matua community has been vocal in its opposition to SIR, expressing their apprehension that the revision could lead to deletion of names of legitimate voters.
Their fears haven't abated despite BJP MP and Sanghadhipati Shantanu Thakur's assurance that those excluded could get citizenship under the CAA. Political observers believe the community's fears could influence the political landscape in the upcoming election season.