West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sharply criticized the BJP-led Assam government after a Foreigners’ Tribunal issued a notice to a farmer from Cooch Behar, designating him as an alleged illegal migrant. Banerjee termed this move a “systematic assault on democracy,” asserting that the BJP is unlawfully attempting to enforce the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in West Bengal, where they hold no authority. She characterized the situation as a troubling overreach and a focused attack on marginalized communities.
In a post on the social media platform X, Banerjee expressed her shock upon learning that the Foreigners’ Tribunal in Assam had issued an NRC notice to Uttam Kumar Brajabasi, a Rajbanshi who has lived in Dinhata, Cooch Behar, for over 50 years. Despite providing valid identification documents, Brajabasi is being targeted under suspicions of being a “foreigner/illegal migrant.”
Banerjee criticized the BJP government in Assam for allegedly using the NRC process as a tool to intimidate and disenfranchise residents of Bengal, particularly from marginalized groups. She condemned this unconstitutional overreach as detrimental to the people and indicative of the BJP’s agenda to undermine democratic safeguards.
Calling for unity among opposition parties, Banerjee urged a collective stand against what she labeled the BJP’s “divisive and oppressive machinery.” She emphasized that Bengal will not passively witness the erosion of the constitutional fabric of India.
The controversy arose after Brajabasi recounted his disbelief upon receiving the notice, explaining that he has never left Cooch Behar and holds legitimate Indian identity documents. In response, the state BJP accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of mishandling documentation, claiming that many illegal immigrants from Bangladesh have fraudulently acquired Indian identity papers and are being misidentified as citizens.
This incident has reignited tensions between the BJP and the TMC, drawing renewed attention to the contentious NRC issue ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/mamata-slams-assam-govt-over-nrc-notice-to-bengal-farmer-calls-it-assault-on-democracy-1241208-2025-07-08?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-07-08 12:13:00
