Bengal becomes fourth state to pass resolution against citizenship law

The West Bengal assembly on Monday (January 27) passed a resolution against the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act, becoming the fourth state to do so after Left-ruled Kerala, and Congress-ruled Punjab and Rajasthan.

The resolution appeals to the Union government to repeal the amended citizenship law and revoke plans to implement NRC and update NPR. Reports suggest state parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee introduced the resolution in the House around 2 pm.

Three states – Kerala, Rajasthan, and Punjab – have already passed resolutions against the new citizenship law. The law has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the state, with the TMC opposing the contentious legislation tooth and nail, and the BJP pressing for its implementation.

Also read | Punjab follows Kerala, passes anti-CAA resolution, set to move SC

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while speaking on the anti-CAA resolution tabled in the Assembly, demanded the contentious law be immediately repealed. “The CAA is anti-people, anti-constitutional… We want this law to be repealed immediately,” she said.

“This protest is not only of minorities but of all. I thank my Hindu brothers for leading this protest from the forefront. In Bengal, we won’t allow CAA, NPR, and NRC. We will fight peacefully,” she was quoted as saying by ANI.

(More details awaited)

Also read | Kerala invokes Article 131 to challenge CAA in Supreme Court

Also read | After Kerala and Punjab, Rajasthan assembly passes resolution against CAA