The final draft of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) is expected to be ready by March 30 next year, according to Union Minister of State for Home, Ajay Mishra. Speaking at a gathering of the Matua community in Thakurnagar, North 24 Parganas district, Mishra assured that the citizenship rights of the Matuas, who had fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, will not be taken away. He also mentioned that the process to implement the CAA has gained momentum in recent years and that some issues are being resolved. Mishra shared the stage with local BJP MP and Union minister Santanu Thakur.
The CAA aims to provide Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who entered India before December 31, 2014. In response to Mishra’s claim, Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Santanu Sen criticized the BJP, stating that they only remember the Matuas and the CAA during elections. Sen expressed doubt that the BJP would be able to implement the CAA in West Bengal and claimed that the party’s false claims are becoming apparent to the Matuas and others. He asserted that the Trinamool Congress has protected the rights of the Matuas as Indian citizens and will continue to work for the community throughout the year, unlike the BJP, which only makes false promises.
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