As the clocks are counting down for the announcement of Lok Sabha elections, the Central Government has taken a historic step by enacting the Citizenship Amendment Act (Citizenship Amendment Act). Various reactions are coming from the opposition regarding the timing of implementation and announcement of CEA.
Amidst the renewed debate and controversy in the country regarding CEA, the Matua community of West Bengal seems happy with the implementation of CEA. Many people of the Matua community were deprived of citizenship despite living in India. People of Matua community live in poverty. This community was started in 1860 by Harichandra Thakur challenging the caste system found among Hindus.
The Matua community lives in 24 Parganas in northern West Bengal. According to the information received, people of Matua community came to India during the partition of India and Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh. The population of West Bengal is 30 lakh. The Matua community lives in North and South 24 Parganas districts near Nadia and the Bangladesh border. This community has dominance over more than 30 seats in the state.
According to the CAA rules, the central government will give Indian citizenship to non-Muslims who came to India from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan by 31 December 2014. This includes Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians. People of Matua community who came to India from East Pakistan will also easily get Indian citizenship.