Just as rice can’t be boiled online, CAA can’t be implemented online either: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that online registration for implementing Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) cannot be done. Banerjee was speaking at a relief distribution programme today in Patharpratima block of Kakdwip subdivision in South 24 Parganas.

Chief ministers of several states, including Banerjee, have said they won’t let CAA to be implemented in their respective states. To avoid the interference of the states, there are talks of register online. There are talks that the Centre is likely to make the entire process of granting citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act online to bypass states, some of which are against the new legislation, officials have said.

But Banerjee said that this is not possible. She said that the process cannot be done online because proof of “physical existence” is mandatory to award citizenship. “Can you cook rice online?” she asked. You can apply online, but the rice won’t be cooked online. It is just a rumour being spread by the BJP, she said. Banerjee tried to allay fears of people that despite her assurances, the CAA might still be implemented if the Centre chooses to implement the process online.

The Bengal CM today reiterated if anyone came to take away rights of the people in the state, they would have to do it over her dead body. She said she was guarding people’s rights. She asked people to register their names in electoral rolls and the digitised ration cards that are being distributed by the state, but cautioned them to not provide their names and other details to “outsiders”.

Speaking about the Ganga Sagar Mela in South 24 Parganas where she was speaking, Banerjee alleged that the Centre doesn’t help the state with funds in organising the Gangasagar Mela while it helps the BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh government with funds for the Kumbh Mela. All infrastructural work at Gangasagar Mela have been carried out with state funds, she said.

Speaking of the relief measures undertaken by state government in cyclone-affected areas of South 24 Parganas, she said that the Centre did not provide relief funds to the state and the state government had carried out all the relief measures on its own. Over two lakh farmers have been compensated after the cyclone Bulbul, Banerjee said.

The CM today said also added that the Sundarbans and Basirhat will be made into new districts to help smooth running of the administration.