Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur’s symbolic remark that he “will apply for citizenship” in India through the Citizenship Amendment Act, has triggered a sharp reaction by the Trinamool Congress. The party questioned the need for his “citizenship appeal”, as he holds a ministerial post.
“One can apply for citizenship by taking a character certificate or related papers from any registered social organisation. We will give them citizenship. Even I will also apply for citizenship, although my great-grandmother took citizenship through migration, I don’t need to apply,” the BJP Minister said on Saturday.
However, he had said that his statement was about seeking a fresh appeal was a symbolic remark aimed at silencing false propaganda over CAA implementation and setting a precedent.
Reacting to his remarks, TMC leader Bratya Basu on Sunday said that if Thakur has been a citizen and holding a ministerial position for the past five years, it raises questions about the necessity of seeking citizenship again.
Another Trinamool Minister, Chandrima Bhattacharya, also questioned the statement. “We are waiting when Shantanu Thakur will apply because as soon as he applies, his ministership goes as he is no longer a citizen of India…,” she was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Thakur, whose ancestors were from Bangladesh, had said that he will apply for citizenship through the law recently notified by the central government.
“I will apply because of the propaganda, what Mamata Banerjee is doing, I want to see if I can be deprived of facilities after being applied for citizenship,” the Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways said.
He also accused the Trinamool Congress of spreading fear among the public regarding the CAA.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, notified by the central government on March 11, allows for faster citizenship for immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, but only for those who are Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Christian.
The opposition parties have been labelling it a discriminatory law as it excludes individuals from the Muslim community.