After the issuance of the government notification on the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), many residents of Bangaon Lok Sabha constituency have been spending their days in distress, especially those who arrived in this country after 1971. Because there is no provision in the CAA for granting citizenship to minorities. They are deeply concerned about what their future holds.
Those who have been residing in this country for generations do not have this concern. Bangaon MP and Union Minister Shantanu Thakur has stated that there is no reason for permanent residents of this country to be fearful. Since they don’t fall in the scope of CAA.
But what about those Muslims who came to this country between 1971 and December 31, 2014, they also now have voter cards, Aadhaar cards, and cast their votes, what will happen to them?
Shantanu asked, “What is the problem for Muslims in Bangladesh? What is the reason they have come to this country? One thing is clear, there is no place for Muslims in the CAA. How did they manage to get Aadhaar cards, voter cards in this country? Why did they do it, what is their intention?” On top of it , he said, “Their forefathers were the ones who divided the country.”
The Union Minister’s remarks have heightened the apprehension among minority communities. A Muslim resident of Bangaon stated that he migrated to this country prior to the year 2000 and obtained his voter card and Aadhaar card before 2014. He casts his votes in elections regularly. Voicing his worries about the CAA, he expressed, “I’m unable to grasp what lies ahead for us. I feel deeply anxious.” He queried, “Why are Muslims excluded from the six religions listed in the CAA? We are inhabitants of united India. Why should we be regarded as outsiders?”
A woman migrated to this country from Bangladesh twenty-five years ago. She resides in a tin-roofed house. She and her family members possess voter cards and Aadhaar cards. However, she is also anxious. She said, “What is the CAA? I still can not understand it clearly. But I heard that we won’t be able to apply there. I don’t know what will happen to us, I can’t understand anything.”
The parents of a minority individual have been living in this country for almost fifty years.The boy was born in this country as well. However, when he was four, they went to Bangladesh to visit their relatives’ house. They returned to this country seven years ago. Currently, they hold voter cards and Aadhaar cards issued by this country. They actively participate in voting. Reflecting on their situation, he expressed, “I am fundamentally an Indian citizen. Should I be treated as an outsider?”
An elderly man remarked, “We have been in this country longer than the creators of the CAA.Let’s see who displaces us!”
Currently, some minority individuals, including Nasir Sardar, are not experiencing any anxiety. Nasir stated, “We are permanent residents of this country. Our ancestors never resided in Bangladesh. We have no worries regarding the CAA.
What is the stance of Trinamool?
Mamata Thakur, the Member of Parliament and the Sanghadhipati of All India Matua Mahasangha, stated, “The consequences for minorities under the CAA will be addressed later. We Matuas are the ones who will suffer most under this act.” Mamata asserted that the CAA includes Hinduism among the six religions. However, Hinduism is not a distinct religion. It is not mentioned in the Ramayana or Mahabharata. Instead, it is Sanatan Dharma, which has existed before and continues to do so. According to Mamata, “We follow Sanatan Dharma. In that context, how will it be determined who are Hindus?”
