Mamata dares Centre to go for UN-monitored referendum on CAA, NRC

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday (December 19) dared the Narendra Modi-led central government to go for a UN-monitored referendum over the amended Citizenship Act and the proposed nationwide NRC. And if it fails such a “mass vote”, the BJP will have to step down from the government, she said.

Banerjee, who was addressing a rally in Kolkata, further alleged the BJP is trying to brand the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) as a fight between Hindus and Muslims.

“Just because the BJP has got the majority it does not mean that they can do whatever they want. If BJP has guts, it should go for a United Nations-monitored referendum on Citizenship Amendment Act and NRC. Let an impartial organisation like the UN or the Human Rights Commission conduct it,” she said. However, she said, “If the BJP loses the mass vote, it should step down from the government.”

The BJP retorted swiftly to Banerjee’s comments and asked the TMC supremo not to make herself “a laughing stock”. “Does she realise what is she saying? She should stop making herself a laughing stock. I think her advisers have stopped giving her good advice,” said union minister Babul Supriyo.

Banerjee, who has been at the forefront of protests against the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the new citizenship law, has led three marches crisscrossing the city since Monday. She is scheduled to address another rally in minority-dominated Park Circus area on Friday (December 20).

Also read | Anti-CAA protests transcend intra-community rivalry in Kolkata

“Tomorrow we have a protest meeting at Park Circus. I request everybody to maintain peace. Don’t fall into BJP’s trap. They want to make it a fight between Hindus and Muslims. We have specific inputs that the BJP is buying skull caps for its workers, who are wearing them while vandalising properties to malign a particular community,” she alleged.

Iterating that the contentious law and the NRC won’t be allowed in West Bengal, Banerjee said that BJP was founded in 1980 and was asking for citizenship documents of 1970 from the people.

“We are born here and that is our biggest identity. BJP does not have the right to determine our citizenship. Do we have to wear BJP’s amulet to prove our citizenship? A party which was formed in 1980 is seeking documents from those who were born in 1950s, 60s, 70s,” she quipped.

Banerjee read out a poem penned by her against the citizenship law at the beginning of the rally. She said BJP is acting like a “washing machine” which cleans the corrupt and the criminals and turns them into sages.

Despite imposing prohibitory orders in various parts of the country, she said the saffron party will not succeed in curbing protests. “The country is burning and BJP is laughing because they want India to burn. The protests have spread to all parts of the country – be it the BJP-ruled states or the non-BJP ones,” she said.

Taking a dig at the prime minister’s recent comment that those indulging in violence over the citizenship law could be identified by their attires, Banerjee on Thursday said the religion of protesters cannot be ascertained by his or her clothes.

Also read | Where is the Bengal, which once swore by non-violence to decry injustice?

“A few days ago, they (BJP) were saying protestors can be identified from their attire. Today I am wearing a shawl. Can you tell whether this a Hindu shawl or a Muslim shawl?” she said.

Banerjee further asked why welfare schemes and the banking system were linked to Aadhaar if it is not proof of citizenship. The chief minister had vociferously opposed the Aadhaar card and its linking with phone numbers and bank accounts. “This government made us link everything from bank accounts to mobile phones to Aadhaar. And now it is saying Aadhaar is not a valid proof (of citizenship). If it is not, why force it on people?” she questioned.

She questioned why Afghanistan was included in the list of countries in the amended Citizenship Act from where minorities facing religious atrocities would be allowed citizenship of the country, but Myanmar and Sri Lanka which are among India’s neighbours were left out. “From when did India start sharing borders with Afghanistan that it was included and Myanmar and Sri Lanka were omitted?” she asked.

The amended Citizenship Act seeks to provide citizenship to members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have entered India till December 31, 2014 after religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Banerjee said the agitation against the amended Citizenship Act must continue till the controversial law is revoked by the Centre. “Suddenly after 73 years of Independence we have to prove that we are Indian citizens. Where was the BJP’s head and tail at that time (of Independence). BJP is dividing the country. Don’t stop your protest because we have to get CAA revoked,” she urged the people.

Banerjee continued, “This is a struggle for identity. Forget your political affiliations. Forget your religious identities. No matter which part of India you reside in, come join the protests. Hit the streets.”

Stating that her government has halted all works on the National Population Register (NPR) in the state, the chief minister said she was receiving various complaints regarding it.

“I ask my party cadre to prepare the voter list meticulously, ensure that no one is left out. BJP is planning to omit several genuine voters and include some people through online voting registration process to create panic,” she said.

(With inputs from agencies)