West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced her staunch opposition to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) on Monday, stating, "I will not allow NRC." Addressing a gathering in North 24 Parganas, Bangaon, Banerjee raised concerns over the exclusion of 19 lakh Hindu Bengalis from the NRC list in Assam. She emphasised the challenges faced by persons who may be asked for documentation, remarking, "If they ask me for my parents' certificate, I don't even know their birthday, from where will I get the certificate."
Banerjee directed her words towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to refrain from undermining the self-respect and dignity of the people of West Bengal.
"Don't play with the self-respect of women, don't hatch conspiracy by playing with the dignity of our mothers and sisters," she asserted, as reported by PTI. Responding to allegations made by the Prime Minister regarding incidents in Sandeshkhali, Banerjee referenced purported videos implicating BJP leaders in orchestrating protests and manipulating rape complaints, as per the report.
"Don't touch our women, this is not your Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh. Women in Bengal live with respect and dignity," Banerjee affirmed. Accusing the BJP of leveraging central forces to intimidate ruling party workers in border districts, she vowed to resist the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and NRC in the state.
Challenging the BJP, Banerjee questioned their commitment to CAA, stating, "Why your minister (Shantanu Thakur) is not applying for CAA then?" She reiterated her party's confidence in the ongoing elections, predicting victory for the INDIA bloc. However, she lamented the alleged collusion between the BJP, Congress, and the left, accusing them of impeding the Trinamool Congress's efforts.
Banerjee concluded by accusing the BJP of plotting to disrupt the state's financial assistance scheme for women, 'Lakshmir Bhandar'.