The assertion made by Union minister of state for home affairs Ajay Kumar Mishra that identity cards issued by the All India Matua Mahasangha would act as a "temporary solution" for the Matuas has been rejected by a large section of the community, including a section of BJP MLAs.
Mishra made the claim while speaking at a religious congregation in Matua abode Thakurnagar on the occasion of Raas Purnima on Sunday.
"I came to know that many of you face trouble and difficulties while travelling. You might feel embarrassed if anybody asked you where you stay… which card should you show in such a situation? But nobody can raise a finger and you may go wherever you want as the All India Matua Mahasangha has issued you a card. You can use that card to travel across the country," the junior home minister said.
Mishra went on: "The Government of India offered you a permanent solution to your problem. (BJP's Bongaon MP) Shantanu Thakur has also been fighting hard to get your problem settled. But until then, a card issued by his organisation is very helpful to avoid harassment."
Many members of the Matua community said such cards introduced by both factions of the organisation — headed by BJP's Shantanu Thakur and Trinamul's Mamatabala Thakur — had no acceptability even in Bengal.
While Shantanu claimed that the card would help Matuas avoid harassment across the country, community members disagreed with him.
Asim Sarkar, a Matua community member and the BJP MLA of the Haringhata Assembly segment in Nadia district, has termed the minister’s assertion as a “bluff”. He accused the Centre of testing the patience of the community by delaying framing citizenship rules while repeatedly making false promises.
"The identity card issued by the Mahasangha headed by Shantanu Thakur could merely be termed as a “religious identity card” and not a "temporary solution". The card has no authoritative recognition of the central government.... If BJP leaders peddle such falsehood, people will not forgive them," he added.
Defending the statement of the minister, Shantanu said: "Mishraji actually wanted to say that until the citizenship was granted to the Matuas, the identity card issued by our organisation would help them avoid harassment…this card will otherwise help identify that the person belonged to the Matua community for whom the government has pledged citizenship. This is a recognition…The state government should understand why the card has become necessary."
Former Trinamul MP Mamatabla Thakur, who leads another faction of the Mahasangha, termed Mishra's statement as "misleading".
"BJP leaders have realised that they have nothing new to offer and the CAA rules would never come to reality. So, they are now trying to win the hearts of Matuas only to get votes as the Lok sabha poll has come closer," she said.
Mishra also said the Parliamentary Committee on Subordinate Legislation had set deadlines of January 9, 2024, for the Lok Sabha and March 20, 2024, for the Rajya Sabha for the submission of CAA rules.
