The All India Matua Mahasangha (AIMM) has declared a significant protest march scheduled for December 1, expressing strong concerns about the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. This announcement came on Friday, following the organization's recent hunger strike demanding unconditional citizenship.
Protest March Details and Route
The demonstration will commence at 4 PM on Monday from Sealdah station, with participants marching toward the Election Commission office in Kolkata. The organization has mobilized its entire network for this crucial protest.
Sukesh Chakraborty, secretary of the Mamatabala Thakur-led AIMM, confirmed that Sanghādhipati Mamatabala Thakur has called upon all dalpatis, pagals, gosains, and organization members to assemble for the December 1 march.
Core Demands of the Matua Community
The Matua community has presented three primary demands to the Election Commission. They are seeking simplification of the SIR process, universal acceptance of Aadhaar during verification procedures, and firm assurance that no genuine Matua voter will be removed from the electoral rolls.
Chakraborty emphasized the organization's position, stating: "None of the names of those who voted in previous years—especially those who voted in the last Lok Sabha election—should be removed from the voters' list." This reflects the community's concern about potential disenfranchisement during the revision process.
Political Stance and Future Actions
Mamata Bala Thakur, Matua community senior and Trinamool MP, issued a stern warning that the organization would escalate their agitation to Delhi in December if their demands remain unaddressed. The AIMM also plans to submit a fresh memorandum to the Election Commission in Kolkata to formally document their concerns.
Meanwhile, Shantanu Thakur, the BJP MP leading the BJP-backed AIMM faction, presented a contrasting perspective. He stated: "Once the SIR list is published, a crackdown will begin across the state. Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingya people will certainly be caught. Once they are caught, they will be sent straight to detention camps."
The divergent statements from different factions within the Matua community leadership highlight the complex political dimensions surrounding the voter list revision and citizenship issues in West Bengal.
