Hold referendum on CAA under UN: Didi

Shubhadeep Choudhury

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Tribune News Service

Kolkata, December 19

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today called for a referendum in the country on the twin issues of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens.

Addressing a rally here of student organisations affiliated to the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), Banerjee said the referendum must be held under the supervision of an “impartial” organisation like the United Nations (UN) or the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

“The referendum must be overseen by an expert committee. The committee should not have any representations from political parties or religious communities,” Banerjee said. She said the BJP must agree to resign from the Central Government if it gets defeated in the referendum.

The TMC chief said the BJP secured only 38 per cent votes in the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year. Sixty-eight per cent of voters did not support the BJP, Banerjee noted and asked it to refrain from playing with fire despite having got elected on the basis of support of a minority section of voters.

“The whole country is on fire. Look at how they arrested a respected historian like Ramchandra Guha by physically dragging him through the road”, she said.

Today’s event is the fourth public meeting addressed by Mamata in Kolkata on consecutive days on the issue. Tomorrow, she is slated to address yet another rally on the issue in the city’s Muslim dominated Park Circus area.

Mamata today appealed to people to remain vigilant tomorrow and foil any attempt by the BJP to foment trouble and then pass the blame on the Muslims who would be congregating at mosques tomorrow to take part in Friday prayers.

“I have received information that the BJP has purchased large number of skull caps,” Mamata said.

Take statement back, says Governor

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar said he was distressed, pained and hurt as a citizen after hearing Banerjee’s statement about holding a referendum on the CAA under the supervision of UN. “Nation has always to be first. I am sure CM Mamata Banerjee will heed my humble request and withdraw forthwith her reported statement” he said.