In the fine print of rules, a few anxieties in bold: CAA format raises concerns for potential applicants

During conversations with multiple Matua community leaders, it emerged that the need to submit details about the country of origin of the applicant — and that of his or her spouse and parents — was the root cause of the apprehension

Matua community members celebrate in Thakurnagar on Monday.: Sudip Ghosh/File Photo

Subhasish Chaudhuri , TT, Thakurnagar (North 24 Parganas), 13.03.24 : Proverbi­al devils in the detail may sober down celebrations at the Thakurnagar Matua headquarters over the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Several Matuas on Tuesday expressed apprehensions about submitting online applications for citizenship under the newly notified CAA.

During conversations with multiple Matua community leaders, it emerged that the need to submit details about the country of origin of the applicant — and that of his or her spouse and parents — was the root cause of the apprehension.

Although many residents of Thakurnagar, the Matua headquarters, are celebrating the notification of the CAA by the Centre on Monday eve­ning, several others have expressed fears over the process.

“The portal has just been launched.... We have to go through all the provisions

first to be accustomed with the portal and then only can we help others to apply,” said a young man managing the office of BJP MP Shantanu Thakur, who heads the All India Matua Mahasangha, when asked about lack of interest in submitting applications for “citizenship”.

Several community members and devotees who gathered at Thakurbari — the sect’s headquarters — to celebrate the implementation of the CAA said the Mahasangha had told them not to submit their applications right away.

“I am happy for the implementation of the CAA. However, I do not feel confident to apply due to the mandatory initial declaration. This is a threat to our future as Indian citizens,” Swapan Mandal, a resident of Bagdah who came to Thakurnagar early in the morning to join the celebrations, said.

Many youths who had gathered outside Thakurbari appeared confused and admitted that they were not sure when they would submit their applications. Asked whether they knew anyone who had filed an application, they pleaded ignorance.

Even as drum beating and celebrations continued in and around Thakurbari, several people said they were upset because their demand for unconditional citizenship had not been met.

“I was told that no old documents would be required as proof. But as far as I have learned, I would have to furnish a proof of stay in India before 2014. Proof of residency in Bangladesh would also have to be submitted. We don’t have such documents,” said Suphal Biswas of Hanshkhali, who came to India from Jessore in 1995.

Suphal, who claimed his family was a victim of religious persecution, said: “We managed to escape with our lives after threats by some Islamic fundamentalist one night. Now it is impossible for me to furnish any proof of our stay in Bangladesh.”

Though several people in Shantanu Thakur’s inner circle acknowledged that there was confusion, the Union minister swatted away such concerns.

“Submission of documents is not mandatory. An affidavit or certificate issued by any socially acclaimed institution would be enough to prove the applicant’s credentials,” he told reporters, asserting that the CAA is not to “rob” but to “ensure” citizenship.

“The notification has just been issued. We have told the Centre to simplify the legal provisions for the people’s sake. If any change is required, we would talk to the Centre,” he said, adding that the Mahasangha would organise a training programme for volunteers who would help people to submit their applications.

Most BJP leaders blamed Trinamul and chief minister Mamata Banerjee for the confusion.

Sukriti Ranjan Biswas, president of the Joint Action Committee for Bengali Refugees, alleged that the legal provisions in the citizenship matrix would make things more critical for refugees like the Matuas.

“The Centre has introduced a trap to identify illegal migrants. The provisions lack clarity and are quite misleading, which would make people apprehensive and eventually none would apply only for citizenship,” Biswas, a former bank official, said.

“Furnishing documents of stay in Bangladesh and later in India would be a difficult task. Ironically, the government has not included EPIC and Aadhaar as proof for a stay in India,” Biswas added.

“We had proposed a cut-off date with a contemporary voters’ list as proof of stay in India irrespective of the religious identity of the refugees. But the Centre has only considered the Hindus, which has created a division,” he alleged, adding that the Joint Action Committee for Bengali Refugees would organise a convention on the issue at Moulali Yuva Kendra on March 20.