Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday urged West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress to support the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Parliament to give the refugees living in India the right to citizenship.
But Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee categorically refused, and asked him instead to withdraw the legislation.
Addressing a rally in West Bengal’s Thakurnagar, home to the Dalit Matua community, Modi said India is the only place that can provide shelter to thousands of Hindus, Sikhs and refugees of other communities, who came from neighbouring countries to save themselves from communal violence.
“After the country was divided during independence, thousands of people including the Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Parsis had to take shelter in India due to communal violence. These refugees should get the right to citizenship. India is the only place that can provide them shelter,” Modi said addressing a packed ground here in North 24 Parganas district.
“That’s why our government has come up with Citizenship Amendment Bill. I urge the Trinamool Congress leaders to support the Bill and help the refugee brothers and sisters to get their rights,” he said.
The Lok Sabha has already cleared the Bill, which is now pending in the Rajya Sabha.
Speaking to a television channel soon after, Banejree turned down the request, saying her party wouldn’t let the BJP to divide people and engineer violence between Bengalis and non-Bengalis, or between, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians.
“We oppose it. The government will have to withdraw it. Because we are all Indian citizens. 
“They are asking for our support for citizenship amendment bill. Why should I support them? In the name of NRC, they have arranged to drive out 4.5mn Bengalis — 2.3mn of them Muslims, and remaining 2.2mn Hindus — from Assam,” she said.
Banerjee said because of the citizenship bill, the entire North East is on fire.  “We won’t allow them to damage the North-East,” she added.
Earlier, Modi cut his speech short at a rally in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district and later apologised after several women and children fainted following a stampede-like situation at the venue.
An officer manning the state police control room said two-three women had fainted.
“They were rushed to a hospital and released after first-aid,” he said.
Modi, who was addressing a meeting organised by the All India Matua Mahasangh in Thakurnagar, tried to control the crowd and repeatedly asked them to remain wherever they were as many BJP supporters tried to force their way into the inner ring of the venue. Some people, waiting outside the venue, also rushed in, adding to the chaos.
“The ground is too small for this meeting. Please remain where you are... I request you, there is no place in the maidan. Don’t do this,” the prime minister said, as people jumped barricade and jostled with one another to get a vantage point to listen to the leader’s speech.
As the commotion continued, Modi abruptly ended his speech by raising the slogan ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’ and left the ground, saying he has another meeting to attend.
Later, at another rally at Nehru stadium, Durgapur, in West Burdwan district, Modi began his speech by referring to the incident.
“At Thakurnagar, there was a unprecedented crowd, they were high on enthusiasm. I saw mothers, sisters in large numbers. I think there was twice the number of people than the ground can hold. They were inconvenienced. 
“I bow my head and salute all those who had come to Thakurnagar and showered their blessings and love on me. 
“But at the same time, some sisters and children faced problems. I sympathise with them, and apologise for this,” he added.
Modi advised the crowd at Durgapur to be patient.