(December 29, 2010) A Church-based social centre is backing the claims of some 40
million ‘illegal immigrants’ from Bangladesh for Indian citizenship. Jesuit-managed
Udayani (awakening) Social Action Forum has supported the members of dalit (former
untouchables) Matua community, spread in 13 states of the country. Over 200,000 Matua
members demonstrated in Kolkata, eastern India, December 28, claiming citizenship
for all the refugees in the country. Father Irudaya Jothi, who directs the Jesuit
forum, said their support to the causes of dalit, tribal, women, children and minority
groups “is part of our Jesuit option for the poor.” The Jesuit priest told UCA News
that the Matua community in West Bengal state has realized their collective power
and the need to get empowered through education. The demand for citizenship is “fruit
of their empowerment, and we are with them in their cry for justice,” he added. He
said that his centre supports the community’s cultural revival and recognizes their
identity. He said the Communist Party of India (Marxist) that heads the ruling coalition
in the state does not resent the presence of refugees from Bangladesh. However, the
pro Pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party considers them a potential threat, because of
their association with Muslims, Father Jothi explained. Nityananda Haldar, a member
of the Central Committee of All India Matua Mahasangh, warned his community would
storm the state assembly house and if need be even the parliament house in New Delhi,
“if our claims” are not accepted. The Matua community was formed by Guru Chand Thakur
in 1880 in the undivided Bengal.