Mamata Banerjee Criticizes ECI for Excluding Matua Voters from Bengal Electoral Rolls
Synopsis
On the death anniversary of Binapani Devi, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the exclusion of Matua voters from electoral rolls, stating it as a political conspiracy by the BJP government. Her commitment to fight for their rights is highlighted as she readies for a protest.
Key Takeaways
Mamata Banerjee criticized the ECI for excluding Matua voters.
She claims this exclusion is a political conspiracy by the BJP.
The Matua community comprises Hindu refugees from Bangladesh.
A sit-in demonstration is planned to protest against the SIR exercise.
Rahul Sinha of BJP refuted Banerjee's claims, assuring citizenship rights for Matua voters.
Kolkata, March 5 (NationPress) On the anniversary of Binapani Devi's passing, the former leader of the Matua Mahasangha in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, sharply criticized the Central Government and the Election Commission of India for the intentional exclusion of Matua voters from the electoral rolls.
The Matua community comprises refugees from Bangladesh, primarily of the Hindu backward class, who have settled in various regions of West Bengal, notably in the North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts.
"It is deeply regrettable that the BJP-led Central Government has conspired to place Matua brothers and sisters in a precarious and bewildering situation. Political maneuvers are being made under the guise of citizenship rights. Their identity is under scrutiny, and they are being systematically left out of the voters' lists via the SIR process. These individuals, who have contributed to the democratic process for generations, now face uncertainty regarding their citizenship," stated the Chief Minister in a social media post.
She emphasized that such injustice would not be tolerated.
"We will relentlessly oppose any efforts to infringe on the rights of the people of West Bengal, including my Matua brothers and sisters. No oppression will be permitted against the residents of Bengal. This is my commitment on this significant day," the Chief Minister affirmed.
Coincidentally, beginning Friday, the Chief Minister is set to engage in a prolonged sit-in protest at Esplanade in Central Kolkata against the SIR initiative, though the duration of this demonstration remains uncertain.
In response to her remarks, former national secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ex-state president in West Bengal, Rahul Sinha, accused the Chief Minister of trying to provoke the Matua community unnecessarily.
"Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have reaffirmed that not a single Matua will be denied citizenship or forcibly removed from the country. No matter how much the Chief Minister attempts to incite our Matua brothers and sisters, her efforts will be futile," Sinha stated, as he prepares for his candidacy in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections this month.
Point of View
Mamata Banerjee's remarks reflect a significant political contention involving the rights of the Matua community in West Bengal. The tensions between state and central authorities illustrate the complexities surrounding voter representation and citizenship issues, warranting unbiased coverage.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Binapani Devi?
Binapani Devi was the former head of the Matua Mahasangha in West Bengal, and her death anniversary was marked by protests against the exclusion of Matua voters.
What does ECI stand for?
ECI stands for the Election Commission of India, which is responsible for overseeing elections in India.
What are the Matua voters?
Matua voters are members of a Hindu backward class community primarily comprised of refugees from Bangladesh, settled in West Bengal.
What is the SIR process?
The SIR process refers to the Special Invitee Registration process, which has been criticized for its role in the exclusion of Matua voters from electoral rolls.
What is Mamata Banerjee's stance on this issue?
Mamata Banerjee strongly opposes the exclusion of Matua voters and vows to fight for their rights, viewing the situation as a political conspiracy.
