CM Launches Blistering Attack on Centre Over Order Under Foreigners Act

PTI, KOLKATA, SEPT 4, 2025 : Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday launched a blistering attack on the Centre over its recent order under the Foreigners Act, terming it a "farce" and a "gimmick" aimed at misleading voters ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Speaking in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly during a discussion on a government resolution condemning alleged atrocities on Bengali migrants, Banerjee accused the BJP-led central government of using sensitive issues like citizenship and immigration to polarize voters.

"This is nothing but an election gimmick, but it will not work this time," Mamata said. "Those who are screaming about CAA, what did they actually do? Did they give citizenship to anyone? These are all tactics keeping the 2026 polls in mind," she said.

The Centre's recent order, issued under the newly implemented Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, allows members of minority communities—Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, to stay in the country without valid travel documents, if they fled religious persecution.

Drawing a contrast with the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), which covers those who arrived on or before December 31, 2014, Mamata questioned the ambiguity of the Centre's new directive.

"Nowhere in the law is citizenship mentioned. Will those allowed to stay also get ration cards, Aadhaar, and voting rights? Will you put their names in the voter list? What a shame," she said. "You are making false promises again, just like in 2019 and 2024. In reality, how many people got citizenship?" the Chief Minister said.

Mamata further questioned the absence of Parliamentary procedure and oversight in the announcement of such a significant policy decision.

The Chief Minister on Thursday attacked the BJP-led Centre, alleging that the Union government has "sold the dignity" of the country by "falling at the feet" of foreign powers like the United States, Russia, China, and Israel. Mamata accused the Centre of failing to uphold national interests and compromising India's sovereignty on the global stage.