Mamata Banerjee: “Willing to give life but won’t let them divide India”, reiterates opposition to CAA, NRC and UCC

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday reiterated her opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and assured CAA, the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will never be implemented in her state. Addressing the Eid prayer gathering at Red Road in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee stressed that she is willing to give her life but “won’t let anyone divide India”. This came a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday during his first election campaign in Balurghat, after election dates were announced, countered the apprehensions of Mamata Banerjee and urged everyone to apply for CAA without anyone having to fear losing citizenship.

“We don’t want hatred, we despise hate speech. We reject NRC, CAA and UCC. We want everyone to live unitedly and in harmony. As long as I am alive, no one has to worry. I will give my life but won’t let anyone get successful with their divisive agenda. We are all prepared to give life for the country. We don’t fear death”, said Mamata Banerjee.

Claiming that Mamata Banerjee was misleading people over CAA, Amit Shah on Wednesday suggested no one can lose citizenship when they don’t have one. His one statement has further ignited confusion as the BJP, which is trying hard to consolidate the Matuas and other marginalised Bangladeshis settled in India, considers them as Indians or not. Matuas are a strong vote bank settled in several districts of West Bengal with influence over 60 assembly constituencies. They, with time, have managed to get all Indian credentials like an Aadhaar card, PAN Card, voter card, etc. They have been registered voters as well. However since most of them lack any document to prove their link with Bangladesh as the country of origin, most of them have not been able to apply for citizenship under CAA. “If they tell you that we are not citizens then you ask how are they citizens. Tell them they will not be there anywhere”, Mamata Banerjee added while urging the Eid congregation to stay united in support of Trinamool Congress.

She warned of vote fragmentation and stated, “TMC is the only one fighting against BJP in Bengal”. She assured her support to the INDIA alliance but clarified, that it is only outside Bengal. “We are in office because of your blessings. Keep that with us. Even one vote shouldn’t go to any other party,” she added, urging everyone to maintain peace in the coming days. She also warned of “BJP’s plans” of stoking communal trouble ahead of polls and that people should defeat such attempts by staying “calm and cool”.