Raising the pitch against the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that the moment someone applied through the portal, they ceased to be a citizen and became a refugee.
Ms. Banerjee’s remarks came a day after the Union Home Ministry notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 under which applicants have to apply through a portal, provide six types of documents, and specify the ‘date of entry’ into India. The Central government on March 12 launched a new portal for people applying for citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019.
The West Bengal CM said she doubted if the rules were valid. “The CAA rules, which the Centre has declared, I doubt if they are valid. There is no clarity and it is total bluff. Let me ask some questions. Those who are being asked to apply, the moment they apply, from becoming citizens they will become illegal refugees. What will happen to your properties, your jobs and the studies of your children? Everything will be declared illegal,” Ms. Banerjee said, addressing a gathering in the North 24 Parganas district.
