Bengal to fast-track CAA citizenship for 2.5 lakh applicants by December 31: Suvendu Adhikari

Thakurnagar: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday asserted that the government would expedite hearing and provide citizenship under the CAA to 2.5 lakh petitioners in the state by December 31.

Addressing the International Matua Gosai Convention 2026 at Thakurnagar, the traditional stronghold of the Matuas, in North 24 Parganas district, Adhikari credited the community's support for the formation of the BJP government in the state.

He also announced that Rs 50 crore would be granted for the development of the community.


"Only 25,000 people have received citizenship under CAA in West Bengal so far... We will expedite the hearing and provide citizenship to 2.5 lakh petitioners by December 31," Adhikari said.

"The CMs of all other states have implemented CAA, and those eligible got their citizenship... Only Mamata Banerjee opposed it," he said.

The CM also announced that all genuine Scheduled Castes getting citizenship under CAA will be provided with SC certificates.

"This government in West Bengal could be formed because of support from the Matua community," he added.

Earlier in the day, while speaking to reporters at Thakurnagar, Adhikari said his predecessor, Mamata Banerjee, did nothing for the Matua community in the state and instead divided them.

Without taking any name, Adhikari said the previous CM had also opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which provides for citizenship to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Matuas originate in present-day Bangladesh.

"I am happy to be here. If I can do anything for Thakurnagar, that would be my biggest achievement. The previous CM had divided the Matuas and their society and did nothing for them. In fact, she directly opposed the CAA. In the coming days, I will work for them," Adhikari said.

The Matuas, a Scheduled Caste community, are part of a social reform movement that emerged in the late 19th century under the leadership of Harichand Thakur.

The movement primarily mobilised members of the Namasudra community in undivided eastern Bengal. The Namasudras are also classified as a Scheduled Caste in West Bengal.