"Not Going To Implement NRC In Bengal": Mamata Banerjee After Accusing Centre Of Aadhaar Deactivation
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vehemently declared that her state will not implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC), following accusations leveled against the central government regarding the deactivation of Aadhaar cards.
In a firm stance against what she perceives as a “dirty game” orchestrated by the Centre, Banerjee criticized the potential implementation of NRC in Bengal. She questioned the fairness and justice behind such actions, asserting her government”s commitment to inclusivity. “We are ready to give our blood but we are not going to exclude any person from Bengal,” she affirmed.
Banerjee”s remarks come in the wake of her accusations against the BJP-led central government for deactivating Aadhaar cards, particularly targeting marginalized communities in West Bengal. She condemned the move as a “sinister plot” to deprive eligible beneficiaries of welfare schemes, alleging that it was conveniently timed before the Lok Sabha Elections.
#WATCH | "We are not going to implement #NRC in #Bengal… We are ready to give our blood but we are not going to exclude any person from Bengal": #WestBengal CM #MamataBanerjee
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Expressing concern over the alleged deactivation of Aadhaar cards in various districts, Banerjee assured citizens that her administration would safeguard their entitlements. She instructed the chief secretary to ensure uninterrupted access to benefits, even for individuals with no active Aadhaar cards.
Furthermore, Banerjee criticized the inconsistency of government policies, highlighting the irony of initially mandating Aadhaar for various services, including school admissions, only to deactivate cards without prior notice. She announced plans to establish an online platform for individuals affected by Aadhaar deactivation to file complaints and pledged to explore alternative avenues, including cooperative banks, if mainstream banks insist on Aadhaar authentication for transactions.
Last December, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphatically stated that the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act cannot be hindered, as it stands as the legal framework of the nation. He also accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misleading the public on this matter.
Speaking at a closed-door gathering of the State BJP”s social media and IT wing members at the National Library in Kolkata on December 26, Shah reaffirmed the party”s dedication to executing the CAA.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) are interconnected in the context of Indian citizenship laws and policies.
The CAA, passed in December 2019, provides a path to Indian citizenship for Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who entered India before December 31, 2014, and faced religious persecution. It excludes Muslims from these neighboring countries from the same benefits. The NRC, on the other hand, aims to create a registry of all legal citizens of India. It requires individuals to provide documentation to prove their citizenship. Those unable to do so could potentially be labeled as “illegal immigrants” and face deportation.
