21 residents in Bardhaman get CAA citizenship certificates amid SIR; TMC raises questions

Amid the ongoing atmosphere surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, 21 residents of Parijat Nagar in Memari, Purba Bardhaman district, were granted citizenship certificates under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The certificates were handed over during a programme held in the area under Memari Police Station, sparking both celebration and political debate.

According to reports, the CAA provides a fast-track route to Indian citizenship for religious minorities who migrated from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan after facing persecution. During the SIR process, several individuals who had come from Bangladesh reportedly found their names excluded from the voter list, raising concerns about their legal status. Authorities have stated that the CAA provisions are meant to ensure such individuals do not face difficulties in obtaining citizenship.

In Memari, a total of 122 people who had migrated from Bangladesh had applied for citizenship under the amended law. Among them, 21 individuals received citizenship certificates during the Holi festival. After obtaining the documents, the recipients celebrated the occasion by playing with coloured powder, marking what many described as the end of a long wait for official recognition as Indian citizens.

Local panchayat member Haridas Mondal said the effort to secure citizenship for refugee families had been underway for some time. He stated that refugee Hindus should not worry, as they would receive Indian citizenship through the CAA. Mondal also expressed hope that the remaining applicants would soon receive their certificates after completing the necessary procedures.

However, the development has also triggered political questions. A local Trinamool Congress leader questioned how the CAA hearing and certificate issuance took place without the knowledge of the local police or administration and pointed to the absence of physical stamps on the digitally signed certificates. In response, BJP representatives maintained that digital authentication is a valid process and said the authenticity of the certificates would be proven over time.