"This is a matter for the Government of India, not West Bengal," says CM Mamata on Bangladesh unrest

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently addressed the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, specifically the violence against Hindus, during the inauguration of the Jagannath Temple in Digha. Mamata stated that the situation in Bangladesh is a matter for the Government of India to handle, not the state government of West Bengal. She underscored that it was the responsibility of the Indian government to manage the border and oversee the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh, as well as the arrival of refugees.

Mamata said, “This is a matter for the Government of India, not the Government of West Bengal,” highlighting that the issue falls under national jurisdiction. She emphasized that while many people from Bangladesh, particularly Hindus, have sought refuge in India due to the violence, the state government cannot intervene in matters of national security, border control, or immigration, which fall under the central government’s purview. Mamata further pointed out that visas had been extended to those wishing to enter India, but it is the central government’s responsibility to manage the entry process and determine the status of refugees.

Her comments reignited the controversy surrounding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which was passed in December 2019. The CAA grants expedited citizenship to non-Muslim religious minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians, from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who faced religious persecution. Mamata Banerjee and her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), have opposed the CAA, arguing that it discriminates against Muslims. The BJP has consistently criticized Mamata for opposing the law, especially now when violence against Hindus in Bangladesh has sparked further debate on the issue.

The Indian government has voiced concern over the situation in Bangladesh, where reports of violence, including attacks on Hindu temples and homes, have been widely documented. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement condemning the violence and called on the Bangladesh government to ensure the protection of religious minorities. Additionally, India’s Foreign Secretary visited Bangladesh to meet with officials and express India’s concerns. There have also been calls from Indian political leaders for Bangladesh to take stronger action against the persecution of its Hindu population.

Mamata also addressed the movement of people from Bangladesh into India, stating that while many refugees had crossed into the country, border control measures were being enforced. She mentioned that individuals with valid visas and passports were allowed entry, but no borders had been closed. Mamata reiterated that the central government was responsible for overseeing such matters, and her administration would not interfere in national decisions regarding immigration, security, or refugee status. The Chief Minister concluded by reaffirming that the issue of Bangladesh’s internal unrest and the protection of its minorities remained a matter for the Indian government to resolve.