Protests Against CAA-NRC-NPR Gather Steam Ahead of PM’s Visit to Bengal

Kolkata: The ruling Trinamool Congress students wing as well as Left Front activists have begun their protest separately against the amended Citizenship Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) in various parts of West Bengal ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to the state starting Saturday evening.

Trinamool Congress students' wing, TMCP, began their 'dharna' against CAA, NRC and National Population Register (NPR) on Friday at Rani Rashmoni Road in Kolkata.

TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to spend an hour with the TMCP agitators during the day.

Later, she is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister.

The Left Front activists staged protests on Saturday against the new citizenship law in various parts of North 24 Parganas district.

The PM's visit comes at a time when West Bengal has been witnessing widespread protests against the contentious Citizenship Act.

Left Front activists, carrying placards with 'Go Back Modi' written on it, took out rallies at Dum Dum area – which is just 1.5 kilometres from the airport, where the PM lands in the evening in the city.

"We will continue our protest unless and until the Act is withdrawn. We don't want Narendra Modi to come to Kolkata as it will vitiate the atmosphere of our state," a protester said.

Several organisations, both political and civil, have planned protest rallies across the city against CAA-NRC-NPR.

During his visit, Modi will attend sesquicentenary celebrations of Kolkata Port Trust and hold a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Apart from attending scheduled programmes, the prime minister will hold a one-on-one meeting with Banerjee at the Raj Bhavan on Saturday evening.

The meeting assumes significance as the new citizenship law has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the state, with Banerjee's Trinamool Congress opposing the contentious legislation tooth and nail, and the BJP pressing for its implementation.

The prime minister will dedicate to the nation four refurbished heritage buildings in Kolkata -- the Old Currency Building, the Belvedere House, the Metcalfe House and the Victoria Memorial Hall.

The Culture Ministry has renovated these iconic galleries and refurbished them with new exhibitions, while curating the old galleries.

Modi will also participate in the sesquicentenary celebrations of the Kolkata Port Trust on Saturday and Sunday.

The prime minister and the chief minister will share dais at the programme at Netaji Indoor Stadium. West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar will also be present.

The prime minister is likely to stay at Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission, on Saturday night.

The West Bengal administration has made elaborate security arrangements for the visit.

Congress workers and some students’ organisations are also scheduled to hold protests across the city against CAA-NRC-NPR.