West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee fiercely criticized the central government’s recent order under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, labeling it a “farce” and an “election gimmick” designed to mislead voters ahead of the 2026 general elections. Speaking during a West Bengal Legislative Assembly discussion on a resolution condemning alleged atrocities on Bengali migrants, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre of exploiting sensitive issues like citizenship and immigration to polarize voters.

The order, issued under the newly implemented Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, permits minority communities—Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, who entered India by December 31, 2024, to stay without valid travel documents if fleeing religious persecution.

Unlike the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), which applies to those arriving before December 31, 2014, and grants citizenship, Banerjee questioned the new directive’s ambiguity, asking, “Will those allowed to stay also get ration cards, Aadhaar, and voting rights?” She criticized the lack of clarity on citizenship and accused the BJP of making “false promises” akin to those in 2019 and 2024, noting minimal actual citizenship grants under the CAA.

Banerjee condemned the absence of parliamentary oversight, stating, “There has been no discussion, no debate, not even a Standing or Select Committee’s involvement.” She alleged targeted harassment of Bengali-speaking and tribal communities, citing arrests of Rajbanshi individuals in Cooch Behar and Alipurduar, and mistreatment of Matuas in Mumbai and tribal groups elsewhere. Banerjee claimed the timing of the order was strategically aligned with upcoming political events, asserting, “People can see through the lies and deception. No one will vote for you.”

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Reaffirming her commitment to protecting citizens’ rights, Banerjee invoked the ideals of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and Rabindranath Tagore, vowing to uphold Bengal’s inclusive legacy. She also claimed credit for the GST Council’s recent decision to slash taxes on essentials like health insurance, hair oil, cornflakes, and televisions, stating, “It was our protest that led to this change.” Banerjee further accused the Centre of financial discrimination against West Bengal, reinforcing her stance against policies she deems “anti-people.”

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