Mamata Banerjee Slams BJP Over NRC Notice to West Bengal Resident, Calls for Opposition Unity
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) Chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday strongly criticized the BJP-led Assam government, alleging that it is attempting to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in West Bengal—a state where the party holds no administrative control. The Chief Minister called for a united front of all Opposition parties to resist what she termed as the BJP’s "divisive and oppressive machinery."
Banerjee’s sharp remarks came in response to reports that Uttam Kumar Brajabasi, a Rajbanshi community member from Dinhata in Cooch Behar, North Bengal, had received an NRC-related notice from a Foreigners Tribunal in Assam. Brajabasi, whose voter registration dates back to 1966, was allegedly being harassed on suspicion of being a foreigner or illegal migrant.
Mamata Banerjee Expresses Outrage on Social Media
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Banerjee wrote,
“I am shocked and deeply disturbed to learn that the Foreigners Tribunal in Assam has issued an NRC notice to Uttam Kumar Brajabasi, a Rajbanshi, resident of Dinhata in Cooch Behar for over 50 years.”
She further stated that such action amounted to “a systematic assault on democracy”, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent of bureaucratic overreach by targeting marginalised communities in West Bengal.
“This unconstitutional overreach is anti-people, and exposes BJP’s dangerous agenda of bulldozing democratic safeguards and erasing the identity of Bengal's people,” she wrote.
Banerjee alleged that the NRC mechanism was being used as a tool of intimidation and disenfranchisement, despite Assam having no jurisdiction over residents of West Bengal.
BJP Denies Allegations, Calls It a "False Narrative"
Countering Mamata Banerjee’s claims, BJP leader Jagannath Chattopadhyay dismissed the allegations as misleading.
“False narrative being peddled by @MamataOfficial regarding an alleged notice issued by one FRO court from Assam,” he posted on X.
He further asserted that the Assam government has already excluded the Koch-Rajbangshi community from the NRC process, and the state cabinet has decided to withdraw all pending cases related to NRC for members of this community.
Samirul Islam and TMC Raise Alarm
Samirul Islam, a TMC Rajya Sabha MP and Chairman of the West Bengal Migrant Workers Welfare Board, had earlier raised concerns about the incident. Sharing a copy of the alleged NRC notice, Islam highlighted that Brajabasi had been on the electoral roll since 1966.
“If someone who has been a registered voter since 1966 can receive an NRC notice, who is safe?” he asked, questioning the legality and intent behind the move.
Following Islam’s comments, Mamata Banerjee escalated the issue, directly accusing the BJP government in Assam, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, of targeting Bengal residents in violation of federal principles.
Dinhata TMC Leader Backs Brajabasi
Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Minister Udayan Guha, who is a strongman in the Dinhata region, also condemned the notice.
“He is an Indian citizen. Those who came to India before 1971 should not have to face such harassment,” said Guha. He emphasized that the Assam Police had no jurisdiction to serve notice to a resident of West Bengal.
Call for United Opposition
In a rallying cry to opposition parties across India, Mamata Banerjee warned that the BJP was working to “tear apart the constitutional fabric” of the country.
“This alarming situation calls for urgent unity among all Opposition parties to stand up against the BJP’s divisive and oppressive machinery. Bengal will not stand by,” she stated.
Broader Political Implications
The incident has ignited a fresh political flashpoint between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, amid heightened tensions over the NRC issue and fears of disenfranchisement of minority and tribal communities in border districts.
With the Lok Sabha elections approaching in 2026, the issue could play a significant role in shaping public sentiment, especially in North Bengal, which shares a border with Assam and has historically been a politically volatile region.