TENS of thousands of people in West Bengal have come to the streets against NRC proposal at the call of CPI(M) and the Left parties. CPI(M) and the Left have called public rallies, meetings, protest demonstrations on the question of important issues of livelihood of the people. Apart from other issues, NRC or the prospect of it being implemented in West Bengal too has become the focal point of concern among large sections of the people. BJP leaders in West Bengal have consistently threatened to implement NRC in the state too with clear communal overtone. Amit Shah addressed a gathering in Kolkata and asserted that the centre would bring Citizenship Amendment Bill to safeguard Hindus and practically deprive Muslims from citizenship.

CPI(M) and the Left have clearly declared that they would resist NRC at any cost. Throughout September, rallies were held in districts. Large rallies took place in Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Berhampur, Siuri, Burdwan, Bankura, Midnapore, Chuchura, Barasat, Krishmanagar towns. Rallies and public meetings took place in different areas of Coochbehar, Maladaha, Raiganj in North Dinajpur, Asansol and Durgapur in West Burdwan. Big rally was also held at Kolkata. In all districts, area level meetings and rallies were organised. In many meetings people defied inclement weather and torrential rains to gather in large numbers. In fact, the rallies reflected largest gatherings in recent period. The rallies took shape of a big anti-NRC protest.

Addressing these rallies Surjya Misra, state secretary of CPI(M) said, BJP government has failed on economic front. They are serving the interests of cronies while the country is drowning in deep recession. To shift people’s attention and disrupt the unified resistance issues like Kashmir and NRC are being brought to fore.

Mohd Salim, Polit Bureau member of the Party has asserted in meetings that not even a single person will be allowed to deport from Bengal. The Left will protect the interest of the poor people in the state. Salim alleged about compromise between ‘Howdy Modi’ and ‘Rowdy Didi’ for polarisation in the state.

The panic about NRC has been accentuated by sudden announcement of ECI about updating Evp(electors verification programme). As the process itself is complex and a large section of people facing problems in dealing with online process, CPI(M) has decided to start Ecp help camps in different areas. Hundreds of people are coming in those camps, Party activists, especially younger ones, are helping people to complete the process.