scsts elections country assam apply caaution rajbanshis approach colonies important campaign antihindu scared confused polling left told communitys linked fear west maurya bjp calm interaction shah community timing hail land

Articles for Matuas

‘Will Proceed With CAA-ution’: In West Bengal’s Bongaon, Hindu Refugee Matuas Confused, Will Wait And Watch
7 months, 1 week ago

‘Will Proceed With CAA-ution’: In West Bengal’s Bongaon, Hindu Refugee Matuas Confused, Will Wait And Watch

News 18  

Among other things, the election in West Bengal is also a litmus test for the much-debated law – Citizenship Amendment Act – in its present form. Addressing an election rally in Bongaon on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah quelled people’s doubts, saying that West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was “lying about the CAA". “Banerjee’s …

Bangladesh Citizenship West Bengal Documents Application Refugee Mamata Banerjee
Apply for citizenship under CAA without fear: MoS Shantanu Thakur exhorts Matuas in poll campaign
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Apply for citizenship under CAA without fear: MoS Shantanu Thakur exhorts Matuas in poll campaign

New Indian Express  

KOLKATA: Union Minister Santanu Thakur, who is seeking re-election from the Bongaon Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, on Wednesday urged members of the Matua community, who migrated to India before 2014, to apply for citizenship under the CAA, even if they already possess voting rights. Thakur, a strong votary of CAA since the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, had asserted …

Citizenship Lok Sabha Hindu Bjp Apply Tmc Caa
'Second Independence Day': Matua community in West Bengal celebrates as CAA law gets notified, thank PM Modi
9 months, 1 week ago

'Second Independence Day': Matua community in West Bengal celebrates as CAA law gets notified, thank PM Modi

Op India  

The minorities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan had fled countless atrocities and arrived in India brimming with hope. Today, while West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee opposes CAA and calls the implementation of the Act to be serving the BJP’s ‘political interest’, several communities like the Matuas in south Bengal and Rajbanshis, as well as Namasudras in north Bengal, are …

India Independence Day Bangladesh Citizenship West Bengal Lok Sabha West
Matuas in Bengal hail CAA implementation: Who are they? How will they gain from the law?
9 months, 1 week ago

Matuas in Bengal hail CAA implementation: Who are they? How will they gain from the law?

Firstpost  

The Matuas are Hindus who migrated, first during the Partition and later after the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, to India. The community members have long been demanding the implementation of the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act, which seeks to grant Indian nationality to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan Members of All-India Matua Mahasangha take part in a rally over their …

Community Pakistan Bangladesh Citizenship West Bengal Indian Lok Sabha
CAA: Who Will Benefit -- Pak Hindu Refugees in Delhi, Matuas, Rajbanshis in Bengal? What Changes Now?
9 months, 1 week ago

CAA: Who Will Benefit -- Pak Hindu Refugees in Delhi, Matuas, Rajbanshis in Bengal? What Changes Now?

News 18  

After the delay of four years, the government has finally notified the rules under the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, which will be implemented in the entire country. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, at least 30,000 “persecuted” minorities such as Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, Sikhs and Christians from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh could benefit from the CAA. Rajasthan & …

India Refugees Rajasthan Delhi Pakistan Uttar Pradesh Bangladesh
Matuas welcome CAA rules; Mamata questions timing
9 months, 1 week ago

Matuas welcome CAA rules; Mamata questions timing

The Hindu  

There were celebrations among a section of the Matua community in West Bengal when the Union government notified the Citizenship Rules, 2024, on March 11 even as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee warned of fierce opposition if the rules are found to be discriminatory against groups of people living in India. “Union Home Minister Amit Shah had already said that we …

India Bangladesh Lok Sabha Mamata Rules State Bjp
Matuas and the long wait to be Indian citizens
10 months ago

Matuas and the long wait to be Indian citizens

India Today  

Few communities have hankered for Indian citizenship for as long as the Matuas, a Scheduled Caste grouping that migrated to West Bengal from erstwhile East Pakistan during Partition and after the 1971 India-Pakistan conflict that created Bangladesh. In November last year, at an event of the Matuas in Thakurnagar in Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, Union minister of state for …

India Pakistan Citizenship Lok Sabha Mamata Citizens Bengal
CAA implementation within a week: Union Minister Shantanu Thakur
10 months, 3 weeks ago

CAA implementation within a week: Union Minister Shantanu Thakur

The Hindu  

Over the past few days Union Minister of State for Shipping, Santanu Thakur has said that the Citizenship Act would be implemented in the country within a week. Earlier in November 2023 Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Kumar Mishra had said that CAA rules will be framed by March 2024. During the day Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee …

Lok Sabha State Bjp Union Minister Caa Thakur Matua
CAA will be implemented in West Bengal, says BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, challenges TMC chief Mamata Banerjee
2 years ago

CAA will be implemented in West Bengal, says BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, challenges TMC chief Mamata Banerjee

Firstpost  

During a meeting in North 24 Parganas District’s Thakurnagar, an area dominated by the Matuas whose roots are in Bangladesh, Suvendu Adhikari said the CAA will be implemented in West Bengal and dared Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to try and stop it Kolkata: Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari has asserted that the Citizenship Amendment Act …

Bangladesh West Bengal Mamata Banerjee Bjp Tmc Caa Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee CAA lie BJP centre CAA Gujarat assembly election NRC
2 years, 1 month ago

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee CAA lie BJP centre CAA Gujarat assembly election NRC

ABP News  

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is using the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens in view of the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, as reported by news agency PTI. Mamata accused the saffron camp of trying to "bring in its supporters from other states and make them …

West Bengal West Bjp Pti Citizens Bengal Other States
Why Matuas, BJP's most important voter base in Bengal, are scared with delay in implementing CAA
2 years, 10 months ago

Why Matuas, BJP's most important voter base in Bengal, are scared with delay in implementing CAA

Firstpost  

The Matua community which is considered the Dalits of Bengal mostly reside on the Bangladesh border in the districts including Nadia and North 24 Parganas Matuas, the untouchables in the Bengal caste system, are considered one of the most important voter bases of the BJP in the state. According to the 2021 Assembly election results, the BJP won around 13 …

Community Political Bangladesh Party Leaders Mamata Banerjee State
BJP Can't Give Citizenship to Matuas, They Already Have It, Says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
3 years, 8 months ago

BJP Can't Give Citizenship to Matuas, They Already Have It, Says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

News 18  

Accusing the BJP of giving false promises to the members of the politically significant Matua community on citizenship, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed that those people have already been given all rights as citizens. Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, claimed that if the saffron party is voted to power, it will keep the people of …

Community Citizenship West Bengal Party Bjp Bengal Banerjee
West Bengal Election: Matuas swing between hardships and hope amid TMC, BJP slugfest over CAA
3 years, 8 months ago

West Bengal Election: Matuas swing between hardships and hope amid TMC, BJP slugfest over CAA

Firstpost  

She could no longer roll bidis for a living. “We are always asked for more papers and documents at government offices to prove we are citizens of India.” About 10-15 years ago, Nanda’s brother landed a government job. “CAA will happen and they will get citizenship.” Mukul Adhikari is the, BJP candidate from Ranaghat South Assembly constituency in Nadia. Harshit …

Community India Job Bangladesh Citizenship Civil Services West Bengal
Narendra Modi’s Temple Visits in Bangladesh Score High on Optics
3 years, 8 months ago

Narendra Modi’s Temple Visits in Bangladesh Score High on Optics

News 18  

Temple visits, including in Bangladesh, are not new to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi’s critics feel this would help him consolidate the Hindu votes in West Bengal during the ongoing election season. Bangladesh is likely to push for sharing of common resources, particularly the Teesta water-sharing agreement, which is pending for a long time due to the objections raised …

Prime West Bengal West Hindu Hindus Hasina Bjp
In Matua Heartland of West Bengal, PM Modi’s Visit to Orakandi Raises Hopes
3 years, 8 months ago

In Matua Heartland of West Bengal, PM Modi’s Visit to Orakandi Raises Hopes

News 18  

“We should get citizenship soon, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi going to our holy temple in Orakandi in Bangladesh is also an emotional gesture to us,” a family of Matuas visiting their temple in Thakurnagar in West Bengal’s North 24-Parganas district said on Friday. Matuas, a sect of Hindu Dalits, have not forgotten Modi’s visit to their temple in Thakurnagar …

Bangladesh West Bengal Lok Sabha State Bjp Modi Visit
Explaining PM Modi’s Matua Outreach and the Community’s Importance in Bengal Polls
3 years, 8 months ago

Explaining PM Modi’s Matua Outreach and the Community’s Importance in Bengal Polls

News 18  

At just 18, Hirak Biswas is a dedicated supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party at Chakdaha in Bengal’s Nadia district. Even as West Bengal goes to polls tomorrow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Orakandi village in Bangladesh to pay respects to Harichand Thakur, the founder of the Matua sect to which Hirak belongs. “They lived mainly in fringe …

Community India Political Bangladesh Dalit Congress West Bengal
Visit to Kali Temple, Interaction With Matua Sect on PM Modi's Bangladesh Itinerary
3 years, 8 months ago

Visit to Kali Temple, Interaction With Matua Sect on PM Modi's Bangladesh Itinerary

News 18  

A visit to a famous temple dedicated to goddess Kali and an interaction with the Matua community are part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day trip to Bangladesh, where he will participate in events celebrating 50 years of that country’s Independence. He will hold discussions with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the visit aimed at “furthering cooperation with our …

Bangladesh Hindu Bjp Bengal Modi Visit Kali
Why PM Modi's Bangladesh visit is linked to Bengal Assembly polls
3 years, 8 months ago

Why PM Modi's Bangladesh visit is linked to Bengal Assembly polls

India Today  

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in Dhaka on March 26, a day after campaigning for the first phase of West Bengal Assembly election ends. PM Modi will pay respect to Matua sect founder Harichand Thakur, who was born at Orakandi in united Bengal in 1812. After partition Harichand-Guruchand descendent Pramatha Ranjan Thakur …

Community Assembly Bangladesh Citizenship West Bengal Lok Sabha Mamata
Why Prime Minister Modi is visiting a shrine in Bangladesh
3 years, 9 months ago

Why Prime Minister Modi is visiting a shrine in Bangladesh

India Today  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is embarking on a two-day state visit to Dhaka on March 26 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence. In February 2019, ahead of the Lok Sabha election, PM Modi flew in to Thakurnagar, North 24 Paraganas, to meet Matua matriarch Binapani Devi, also known as Boroma, a fourth-generation descendant of the sect’s founder Harichand …

India Bangladesh West Bengal Mamata Bjp Dhaka Modi
The Significance Of Matuas and Rajbanshis in West Bengal Poll Battle, Explained
3 years, 9 months ago

The Significance Of Matuas and Rajbanshis in West Bengal Poll Battle, Explained

News 18  

The Matuas are a religious sect of West Bengal comprising largely of Namasudras, the second largest lower caste group in West Bengal with a share of 17.4% of the Dalit population of the state. They want territorial autonomy with many community leaders demanding a separate state, Greater Cooch Behar with some districts of West Bengal and Assam. Matua and Rajbanshi …

West Bengal Indian Lok Sabha Mamata State Bjp Tmc
In TMC vs BJP Bengal Fight Over Matuas, the Rise of a Community and Its Caste Assertion
3 years, 10 months ago

In TMC vs BJP Bengal Fight Over Matuas, the Rise of a Community and Its Caste Assertion

News 18  

About 25 years ago, I was discussing caste politics in Bengal with an eminent social scientist based in Kolkata. I could clearly see that caste was always present in Bengal politics, but overpowered by two meta narratives- first, the ‘Bhadralok’ narrative, and second, the Left narrative. The ‘Bhadralok’ narrative was created by a patronizing upper caste elite, who ignored the …

Community India Identity Political Congress Caste Mamata Banerjee
BJP Leaders Assures Matua Community of Shah's Meeting Soon as Home Minister Cancels Bengal Visit
3 years, 10 months ago

BJP Leaders Assures Matua Community of Shah's Meeting Soon as Home Minister Cancels Bengal Visit

News 18  

With Union Home Minister Amit Shah cancelling his visit to Matua stronghold Thakurnagar in North 24 Paragans district on Saturday, senior BJP leaders Kailash Viayvargiya and Mukul Roy met prominent members of the community and assured them that the central minister will hold a meeting for them “very soon”. They told the members of the community that Shah’s visit to …

Shah Bjp Roy Visit Meeting Matua Thakurnagar
Mamata Banerjee Woos Matuas in Bengal's Bongaon, Says They Don't Need Proof of Citizenship under CAA
4 years ago

Mamata Banerjee Woos Matuas in Bengal's Bongaon, Says They Don't Need Proof of Citizenship under CAA

News 18  

It is too early to speculate how West Bengal’s Matua community will affect the upcoming 2021 Assembly elections, but it has undeniably influenced politics in the state by proving its clout over the last two decades. While political parties shuffle their cards between Muslim appeasement and Hindu sentiments, statistics indicate that the Matuas — a Dalit community in West Bengal …

West Bengal Lok Sabha Mamata Mamata Banerjee State Bjp Bengal