A BJP-backed forum of schoolteachers and non-teaching staff has alleged that many people from Bangladesh illegally enter South Dinajpur district and get themselves registered as Madhyamik examinees by showing fake documents in an attempt to secure Indian citizenship later.
The Bangiya Sikshak O Siksha Karmi Sangha appears to have based its assertion on the use of the word “approximately” in connection with the number of examinees in a letter the additional district magistrate had written to the fire services while requesting it to remain alert during the Madhyamik exams in case of emergencies.
Subhendu Kumar Bakshi, a joint secretary of the Sangha, said: “South Dinajpur is surrounded by Bangladesh from three sides. We have specific information that a number of schools that have been opened by some trusts that work for minorities are helping students from Bangladesh to register as Madhyamik candidates by using fake records.
“Only a fraction of these students eventually appear in the exams as their intention is to obtain the registration papers and admit cards so that in due course they can use these documents to obtain other proofs of Indian citizenship.”
Sangha members are citing a letter issued by the ADM (general). “The ADM had mentioned that ‘approximately 19,000 students’ are appearing in the Madhyamik in the district this time. Why not the exact number?” Bakshi asked.
A senior Trinamul leader who had been associated with education brushed aside the allegations and said BJP supporters saw “ghosts of infiltrators” everywhere.
Ujjal Basak, the convener of Trinamul’s Siksha Cell in the district, said: “At a time when genuine Indian citizens are in panic over the NRC, CAA and the NPR and frantically trying to collect documents, it is too much to accept that a Bangladeshi boy will be able to procure identity documents by only showing a Madhyamik admit card or registration certificate.”
Angshuman Bhowmik, the ADM, said: “We don’t need to mention the exact number of examinees in the letter as it is an alert message.”
